Parkalgar Honda's Eugene Laverty reckons his World Supersport Championship challenge should get off to a great start at Phillip Island, a track he knows well from 250GP days.

The young Irishman, and team-mate Miguel Praia, is really upbeat about the 2009 season after spending a couple of seasons on an uncompetitive Blusens Aprilia.

“The waiting is almost over for me and I can’t wait to get on track and competing for a Championship. After two years on an uncompetitive 250cc GP bike it is brilliant to be racing a competitive four-stroke again and with a team that I have the utmost confidence and faith in," said Laverty

“I know Phillip Island so hopefully I can adapt quickly to the track and be near the front from the start. I hope that I can come away with a decent haul of points or maybe even a podium finish. One thing’s for sure, my Championship challenge starts here and I’ll be giving it my all.”