Tyco BMW’s Michael Laverty admitted that he was a bit concerned coming into the MCE British Superbike test at Oulton Park, as the circuit is one of the Northern-Irishman’s ‘worst tracks’, but after setting a time that placed him fourth fastest overall he has left the paddock feeling much more confident.

He was concerned as he struggled at the Cheshire track last year on the S1000RR but those worries soon vacated his mind as he was able to top the timesheets in the opening session, after fine tuning the chassis and suspension on his BMW.

“Mainly been working on a better base setting for Oulton Park, as I struggled a lot here last year and this is my worse track of the season so I was a bit concerned coming here,” said Laverty, speaking to bikesportnews.com from the track.

“But right from the first practice, with our base setting from Silverstone, that seemed to work pretty good. We have fined tuned it a bit with the suspension and chassis but nothing drastic but got more comfortable as the day went on.

“I was quite happy with my pace actually. I didn’t get a clean lap at the end, and my ideal lap was three tenths faster which would have been a 1’35.0 which would have been my fastest ever lap around here so I am happy with the progress.

“If I can come out of Oulton Park with a couple of podiums then I will be ecstatic, as this has always been my weakest track, without question. So to be doing those lap times is really positive and I think we can probably fight for the win next weekend.”

Even though Laverty was the quickest rider in the first session he did end up in the gravel after a crash, which brought out the red flags. He was a bit bruised, but was fine to continue but it was the first ‘proper’ crash onboard the S1000RR, so he is glad he got it out of the way now, before round-two next week.

Laverty added: “The only downside is the little crash at the end of the first session, and I hurt my hip a little bit, but I will get a bit of treatment. But that is my first proper crash on the BMW.

“Every time I have crashed it, it has been either I have clipped some grass or hit a curb and this is the first time it has let go on the tarmac - it was going to happened eventually, but it is all good and the bike is working in a good area and I am pretty happy.”