After a strong weekend in Round 4 at Assen, the team headed to the Imola circuit for Round 5 and the first home race for Aprilia Racing. With good weather throughout the day, the team worked through a busy schedule to build on their progress in the season’s first four rounds.
Eugene showed consistent pace from the start of FP1, running well and improving in the afternoon. A small crash resulted in delayed FP2 running for him, but his bike was quickly repaired and he returned to the track.
He finished the day 10th overall and maintained the team’s 100% record of reaching Superpole 2 at every round in 2017.
The action continues at #ItalianWorldSBK on Saturday with Free Practice 3 at 08:45 (GMT +1).
Eugene Laverty #50
“Free Practice was good this morning. The feeling was good, but in the afternoon the temperature went up and the bike didn’t feel the same. I went quicker, but I had a stupid crash which was disappointing. It felt like my bike again in FP1 like it did in Assen, but it’s still not quick enough. We’re still a long way behind the top four, so we’re in the fight for 5th/6th at the moment. We got straight into Superpole 2 again which was positive, so I’ll push hard to qualify well and hopefully be in a good place for Race 1.”