Samsung Honda's Michael Laverty will team up with Ryuichi Kiyonari and Jason O’Halloran in the Honda TT Legends World Endurance squad at the Doha Eight-Hour race.

Because the existing line-up of John McGuinness, Simon Andrews, Gary Johnson and Cameron Donald will be at the Isle of Man, Honda have wheeled in Kiyonari and BSB man Laverty to make up a dream team, adding in Superstock hero O’Halloran. Kiyonari has experience as a multiple Suzuka Eight-Hours winner while Laverty has never done a distance race before, but is relishing the chance.

“I’m looking forward to the experience, especially with Kiyo who has won so much at the Eight-Hours. Racing in the desert will be good fun. I don’t have any expectations but it will be nice if we can put in a good performance under the Honda TT Legends banner while the boys are away winning big trophies on the Isle of Man,” said Laverty.