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WorldSBK.com spoke to Race 2 winner at Assen Eugene Laverty (Aprilia Racing Team). The Irishman, after the nightmare Sunday of the second round, was able to bounce back to achieve a well deserved victory - after a tight race - over Tom Sykes (Kawasaki Racing Team), who dominated Race 1. Laverty, who lies now 2nd in the standings, 28 points behind team mate Sylvain Guintoli and tied with Tom Sykes and Chaz Davies, is now looking forward to the next round, scheduled for May 10-12 at Monza's Autodromo Nazionale. The Italian venue saw Eugene Laverty scoring his maiden race victory in the series - a double win at the end of the day - in 2011, in what was his rookie WSBK season.

How happy were you about being back on the top step of the podium after all that happened at Aragon?

"It was really important to leave Assen with two results following a double non-finish at Aragon. Race one in Assen was fairly average, but to bounce back with a victory in race two was a shock even to me! Tom Sykes on the Kawasaki seemed unstoppable all weekend but we made a big change to the bike between races and it paid off. The Aprilia RSV4 had never won before at Assen and was seen to be a bogey track for the bike. It really did feel like we'd achieved the impossible because Tom had won race one by almost ten seconds."

In Race 2 you did an amazing job by staying with Tom and then get to the lead with three laps to go up to the finish line. Was that your plan from early on in the race, to wait until the final laps?

"For the first few laps my aim was only to stay with Tom and get away from the chasing pack. After some laps I began to realise that in actual fact I could fight with him for the victory. I began to make a plan and decided on it a few laps before I made the overtake. I only had two passing places as Tom was riding so strong but I made the pass stick and fended him off for the last few laps."

Your team mate is still in the lead but you, Tom and Chaz are following at -28. How do you see the battle for title victory shaping up?

"It's very exciting for the Championship. My teammate Sylvain has had a great run of form and has finished every race. On the other hand Tom, Chaz, and I have all had at least one non-finish so it will take a few more rounds for the title chase to take shape. Marco Melandri has had a tough start to the season but we cannot rule him out."

Monza brings good memories to you from 2011. Are you looking forward to the round? What's your opinion on the track?

"Monza has always been kind to me. I won the World Supersport race in 2010 and then I achieved a double victory in 2011. Unfortunately last year the weather played havoc but I'm hopeful that the rain will stay away this time so that we can enjoy some great racing. The Aprilia engine is very strong on top speed so I feel that we should be right at the sharp end."