Eugene Laverty wasn't looking forward this weekend's WorldSBK round at Estoril after it proved to be a bogey track for the BMW last season.

But such is the progress of the M1000RR over winter that the RC Squadra Corse rider bagged seventh on the overall times and was the fastet of the Bavarian brand.

“It’s been an amazing day. After the disappointment of Aragon, I wanted to be strong here but coming to Estoril, it was our most difficult track from last year so I wasn’t very optimistic, but I always push 100 per cent," said Laverty.

"I arrived with a positive attitude, we were already fifth this morning and again this afternoon we were really consistent. No one was more surprised than me because I expected this to be difficult for us but we’re really strong here.

“We’ve made a huge step forward. The work BMW have done in the winter has been incredible because last year, there were fundamental problems wrong with the bike and it was not easy to ride around these problems. Since I’ve ridden with this new engine in Aragon, I’ve had such a good feeling and the bike is working correctly now.”