Voltcom Suzuki’s Eugene Laverty is one very happy rider this morning. The Irishman completed the Portimao World Superbike test yesterday and ended the session second quickest overall, with a 1'42.6.

On the opening day of testing Laverty set the fastest time, but in the final session he was pipped to the post by his rookie World Superbike team-mate Alex Lowes. The reigning MCE British Superbike champion went three-tenths of a second quicker than Laverty, but the Monaco based resident thinks that the times set by the Suzuki team may have surprised a few people.

“It’s been a good test in all, this Portugal test was the best yet, even yesterday we got some good laps in the wet to understand the bike and then in the dry our pace was really strong which shows the work we've been doing on the electronics has been important and that our work is reaping the rewards,” said Laverty.

“I think we are surprising some people as both me and Alex are right there, but it’s also nice to reward the team because they've worked incredibly hard over the last couple of months, especially since Jerez.

“The work they have done in six weeks most teams probably wouldn't complete in six months. They haven't stopped so I think it’s nice to see some positive potential being shown. I'm feeling good on the GSX-R and I'm looking forward to Phillip Island."