MotoGP: Laverty rues lost chance for pole

Eugene Laverty has been left rueing what could have been after losing his first real chance to take a pole position in MotoGP, after an error outside his own control left him sliding across the gravel at Silverstone instead of riding into the winners’ enclosure.

The Aspar Ducati rider topped the opening Q1 session to progress into Q2, but, taking to track on a bike that was totally different from his first run, he says that the result was almost inevitable despite being up on Cal Crutchlow’s pole time when he crashed out.

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“I knew it could have happened on that lap, because it was as if I had a slick in. They made a big error and reduced the tyre pressure, and I wasn’t happy about it. Having the bike the same as Q1 would have been perfect, but I was just wobbling around – I’m surprised that we didn’t crash before then.

“The tyre was cold and with not enough pressure in it, and with more water on track there should have been more pressure in it. The bike should have been left the same as Q1, and we would have big smiles on our faces now. There was mention of changing it after Q1 but I said no, then I went out and was wondering why it felt so different. It was a really stupid mistake.

“That’s why I was wobbling round until the last few laps, and then thought ‘right, it’s time to go.’ It didn’t feel good at all, but it was my best chance ever to take a pole position, and even with the bike feeling as bad as it was we were on track for pole.

However, despite the crash, Laverty will stills tart his home race from sixth place tomorrow, and admitted afterwards that despite what happened, he’s still glad to have had the opportunity to show what he’s capable of.

“In all three wet sessions, we were right there. This bike is fantastic in the wet and the wet is always the great leveller. We had a good shot at it; and it’s a bit strange to be feeling disappointed that we didn’t get pole position. It could have been a hell of a lot better, but it’s good to have a terrible Q2 and to still end up sixth!”

 

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