Aprilia’s Eugene Laverty claimed a front row position for the seventh consecutive time after finishing third fastest in the World Superbike Superpole sessions this afternoon at Assen.

Immediately behind him was team-mate, Frenchman Sylvain Guintoli, who will start tomorrow from the second row, and will be keen to defend his position as ranking championship leader.

In Superpole three the two team-mates battled it out with Kawasaki’s Tom Sykes, and Pata Honda’s Jonathan Rea, to clinch the top two places on the grid, but Laverty is content with starting from third tomorrow.

“I'm really happy to be on the front row. Today I thought it would be difficult after the free practice sessions because, besides Sykes and myself, Rea and Sylvain were also quite quick. In the end when Tom puts the qualifying tyre on he's basically unbeatable and Jonny put in a perfect lap, so I'll be starting from the third spot on the grid,” said the Irishman.

“Tomorrow the races will also be difficult since today is the only day we've been able to test in the dry. Understanding how the tyres will perform and how to manage them over the race distance will make the difference. We'll have some work to do this evening and during the warm ups tomorrow morning to be ready for the starting grid.”