Voltcom Suzuki’s Eugene Laverty will start the World Superbike races from the third row at the Assen TT Circuit – something that he is not very happy about - after rain called time early on a promising Superpole session for the Irishman.
Laverty’s time of 1’35.646 was set on his second flying lap, five minutes into Superpole two, but unfortunately the darkening skies were not with the British-based team and the threatening rain descended as both Laverty and team-mate Alex Lowes came in for qualifying tyres, with neither rider having the chance to use the fresh set due to the changing conditions.
With similarly uncertain conditions and the threat of rain forecast for tomorrow, Laverty is confident that he will have the pace to run a consistent and challenging race strategy.
“It had been a good weekend with the Voltcom Crescent Suzuki GSX-R until Superpole and then we got caught out by the weather. When I left on the qualifying tyre the rain started to fall so I wasn’t able to get a lap and it pushed me back to eighth position,” said Laverty.
“I’m not very pleased with the starting position because I always like to be minimum front two rows, it’s going to be hard work from there but I’ve made my bed so I can sleep in it now and look forward to two strong races.”
