PBM’s Michael Laverty ended yesterday’s Aragon MotoGP round in what he calls his ‘favoured spot’, just outside the points in 16th place after a rain-hit race which saw three factory riders crash out.

After a dry start, the rain came down with two-thirds race distance gone and Laverty pitted in but just hadn’t had the pace in the early laps after cold-tearing his rear tyre.

"That was a strange race today; I ran off track on the opening lap and lost a chunk of time. My pace in the dry wasn't quite as good as I had anticipated due to some cold tear on the rear tyre but I managed to claw back the guys in front,” said Laverty.

“The rain began around half distance and made it a case of survival for a few laps before pitting for rain tyres. I finished up with another 16th position in the end which seems to be our favoured spot this year."