Laverty on top form on opening day at Brands

Tyco BMW rider Michael Laverty is on top form  – and top of the time sheets – after the opening day of this weekend’s MCE British Superbike round at Brands Hatch.

Topping the sheets for the first time this year in any session, let alone on the opening day, the Northern Irishman says that the changes made over the past few rounds means he’s now comfortable to push.

“We’ve been building over the last three rounds of BSB, starting at Snetterton and then at Knockhill. I’m feeling really comfortable with the bike and knew that it was all coming together – we’ve been going round in circles earlier but now I feel at home with the bike. We’ve adjusted the bike to suit my style, even though there are still a few things to work on and they could make all the difference.

“Riding in MotoGP was a good experience, and not a problem in terms of changing bikes as I had done test riding for them and I am pretty adaptable to be able to jump off one bike on to another in an exciting couple of weeks.”

Laverty finished the day ahead of defending champion Shane Byrne on the PBM Kawasaki, with Josh Brookes third on the Milwaukee Yamaha – but with only a second covering the top eighteen riders on the grid.