Vice-World Superbike Champion in 2013 on Aprilia, between Tom Sykes and Sylvain Guintoli, the Northern Irishman then tasted the charms of the Grands Prix in 2015 on a Honda from the Aspar team, then in 2016 on a Ducati from the same team with for his hour of glory fourth place in Argentina. This year, Eugene is back in WSBK, with Shaun Muir Racing which officially represents the Noale manufacturer.
Last week, as soon as he got off his RSV4 Superbike, Laverty stayed in Jerez for three days of testing with the RS-GP, replacingAlex Espargaro hurt. He underlined the significant evolution compared to the tests carried out by himself 12 months ago. Eugene tested various setup and electronics configurations, taking on the role of tester and providing further information to the team in preparation for the 2018 season. At the end of the 3 days, his provisional teammate Scott Redding had completed 176 laps (the best in 1'38.778) and Eugene Laverty 210 (the best in 1'39.537).
According to Eugene, “ These were five days of very important tests for me. Two with the RSV4 Superbike and three with the RS-GP. It was a great experience. I felt good with the MotoGP machine, it has great potential. I would like to continue with this project. »
“The problem was that I was driving Aleix’s motorcycle. He's a big guy. We had to adjust a bit because I didn't put enough weight on the front in the fast corners. But after a change in weight distribution, I lost out in slow corners, the machine then offered less grip to the rear wheel. It was frustrating. But the potential is great. Compared to the Superbike, the problems are reversed, we always had too much weight on the front. There, it was the opposite. It was interesting for me. »
“The RS-GP’s greatest strength is braking. Aleix brakes very well, but so do I. That's why I was able to brake as hard as him after two or three laps. I only lost in the fast corners. I could have done 1'38 during my last run, but I ruined everything. I lost the rear wheel and left a nice black line. »
“The weight distribution was not optimal and this made driving really complicated, tire wear was not even and handling became difficult, especially during the last laps. »
“MotoGP and World Superbike are not that different. The best WSBK teams are at the same level as those in the prototypes. The differences between the categories are the tires, the possibilities of intervention on the motorcycle, the brakes, but the technical and professional skills are comparable at the same level. For example, in the Aprilia MotoGP team there are a lot of competent and intelligent guys, it was very nice and interesting to work with them in Jerez. »
“The RS-GP is without a doubt the best MotoGP I have ever ridden. Even though I didn't know it at all, the Aprilia immediately gave me confidence. I struggled a bit due to my small size: Aleix Espargarò is taller than me, to improve I would still have to work on the driving position. »
“What I can say after almost 90 laps on the Aprilia MotoGP is that the potential of the bike is really high, I wouldn't be surprised at all if next year the two factory riders fight for the top positions to the podium. »
The boss of the Aprilia racing department, Romano Albesiano, was satisfied with Laverty: “Aleix Espargaro returned to the Valencia GP but he was in very difficult conditions, he couldn't even fully open the throttle. We were delighted to put Eugene on the RS-GP, he was already in Jerez to test the Superbike he will ride in 2018 and we took the opportunity to let Aleix rest and allow him an ideal recovery. Eugène found his former technical chief Markus Eschembacher in the stand. »
“Laverty is an expert driver who gives us good indications. As testers, Matteo Baiocco and Lorenzo Savadori, who do a good job, know that we can also count on Laverty, but there are no plans to race him as a wild card in MotoGP. He will be there if there are problems with the incumbent drivers. »
Jerez test results:
1. Andrea Dovizioso (I), Ducati, 1:37.663 min
2. Cal Crutchlow (GB), Honda, +0.155 sec
3. Jorge Lorenzo (E), Ducati, +0.258
4. Andrea Iannone (I), Suzuki, + 0.367
5. Pol Espargaró (E), KTM, +0.567
6. Alex Rins (E), Suzuki, +0.644
7. Tito Rabat (E), Ducati, +0.725
8. Danilo Petrucci (I), Ducati, +0.944
9 Bradley Smith (GB), KTM, +1.058
10. Scott Redding (GB), Aprilia, +1.115
11. Jack Miller (AUS), Ducati, +1.213
12. Franco Morbidelli (I), Honda, 1.260
13. Takaaki Nakagami (J), Honda, +1.329
14. Eugene Laverty (NIR), Aprilia, +1.823
15. Alex Marquez (E), Honda, +2.119
16. Xavier Simeon (B), Ducati, +2,669
17. Takumi Takahashi (J), Honda, 3,459
Photo © Aprilia
Sources: gpone.com, corsedimoto.com, speedweek. com and Aprilia
