Eugene Laverty (Milwaukee Aprilia) is hoping to make large steps as the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship makes the step to Europe, as he has received some vital updates to his machine, which he hopes will allow him to make a big step forward.

The Irish rider secured an automatic position in Superpole Two at the Pirelli Aragon Round, which is already a positive step forward with his RSV4 RF. However he was expecting to notice a bigger change to his machine, meaning there will be slight changes which will allow him to get a better feeling from his Italian bike.

“It’s definitely a relief to make it through to SP2,” reflects Laverty. “This morning we are on the brink of securing it, so it’s good to make it into the top 9. I changed quite a bit this morning, and since R2 in Thailand we have received a new engine, which has certainly changed a few things. We’ve got some work to do, but we’re making progress.”

Discussing the updates to his machine, he continues: “It’s quite a big change but the bike in FP1 didn’t feel as different as I expected -I expected something alien - but it felt quite similar to Thailand. We still need to try and find a potential from the package, it’s clear I haven’t been happy with the bike but we’re making inroads. Aprilia are working hard and they’re so determined to make it up on that podium. It’s going to be hard to be there, the top three guys are still so fast but my objective is to make that step to the podium.”

Subscribe to the Video Pass and see Laverty fight for his goals around MotorLand Aragon, with FP3 underway at 08:45LT (+2 GMT) before Superpole at 10:30 and Race One at 13:00.