Works Yamaha rider Eugene Laverty has said he hopes to emulate his Monza World Superbike double at Silverstone tomorrow after setting the second fastest time in Superpole today, just being beaten to top spot by John Hopkins.

The young Irishman rode a near-perfect strategy in the three-session final qualifier but was beaten to pole by a Superbike lap record performance by former MotoGP man Hopkins.

"It was a great qualifying day, it was very close between me and John Hopkins. I’m really happy with the last superpole session, I did a perfect lap and was sure I was in pole position but John was a little faster, so he deserved it," said Laverty.

"I’m happy with second and a front row start for tomorrow’s races. I think it should be a good race day and the four of us on the front row will be very strong. Yamaha really suits this circuit, Cal won last year and I was also very strong, so it’s looking pretty good. Hopefully I can repeat Monza. I’m really looking forward to the races."