Laverty in fight to be ready for first race

Eugene Laverty (Aprilia Racing) is in a fight to be fit for the first round of the season after his big crash on the final day of unofficial tests at Phillip Island recently.

Losing control into turn one after his brake pads had been ‘knocked back' by a violent wobble exiting the final corner of the previous lap, Laverty slapped both his hands and his head onto the ground hard in the crash. It was later confirmed that he has broken a bone in his left hand, had staved a finger on his right hand but his head knock has not proved to be of major concern.

Laverty had intended to fly home to get his hand injury seen to but he is expected to bring his own doctor over to Australia rather than go through the pain and stress of flying to Europe and then back to Phillip island again in a short space of time.

Said Laverty, "Beginning the season with an injury is far from ideal. The first round is next weekend at Phillip Island and I'm going to try my very best to make it onto the grid. It will not be easy but this is racing. On a positive note we'd enjoyed a very productive and successful test up until the crash. The Aprilia is working well and the team worked tirelessly throughout the test to improve our setting. If we can make it onto the grid for Round One then I believe that we can be strong."

Laverty has taken to the Aprilia very well since his first ride on the RSV4 at the end of last year, and if he is fit he is many people's tip for a podium first time out on the Italian machine.