Tyco BMW’s Michael Laverty finds himself in the same situation this year going into the final MCE British Superbike Showdown scrap as he did in 2015 but says he knows what he needs to do at this weekend’s triple-header.
In some ways, Laverty’s situation is slightly better than last season as he is fourth in the title chase and not sixth - but in 2015, he had a 19-point gap to Dan Linfoot in seventh but this year the gap to Richard Cooper in seventh is 14.
By his own admission, Oulton is not the Irishman’s favourite place to be but at a test earlier in the year, Laverty was faster than he ever had been before. Wet conditions have not helped as Laverty and the S1000RR with added rain have not been any kind of match.
“We need three strong races and we need to be consistent. We were on the pace at the test earlier in the year, I did my fastest ever lap there and I think we could have been stronger if the race hadn’t been weather affected. In the past Oulton Park in the past has been a difficult circuit for me but I am feeling really positive. If we are strong in the three races the Showdown will take care of itself. I know what I need to do; it’s just a case of delivering it,” said Laverty.
“I guess I am in an identical position to what I was 12 months ago and to be honest I am disappointed about being in this position again as I really think we have had more speed this year so we should have had it boxed down by now. We have had good days and bad days over the last few rounds but I am looking forward to this weekend even though it is a high pressure situation again – when the lights go out a race is a race and we are there to do the best job we can.”
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