After the first four events of the Superbike World Championship contested at Phillip Island, Buriram, Aragón and Assen, Eugene Laverty occupied a modest fourteenth place in the general classification, between Markus Reiterberger and Leon Camier. The worst was yet to come.
At the following round at Imola, his electronics blocked the bike completely as he completed his fifth lap during the first free practice session. Eugene was thrown into the air and fell violently in Turn 4, breaking both wrists. He underwent emergency surgery in Barcelona, and his Team GoEleven Ducati was entrusted to Tommy Bridewell (who has one in BSB) in Imola and Jerez, then to Lorenzo Zanetti in Misano. “ I had my first operation on my right wrist on Saturday and it was the one that worried me the most, Laverty declared at the time. There were seven fractures, three of which were quite large, but Dr. Mir took good care of me ».
Even if he is not 100% recovered, Laverty, born 33 years ago in Toomebridge, wants to compete in his 163rd World Superbike race this weekend at Donington, which is in a way his home event. Eugene has so far won 13 races in WBK (10 on Aprilia, 2 on Yamaha and 1 on Suzuki) and has been on the podium 35 times.
He had previously twice finished vice-World Supersport Champion in 2009 and 2010 on Honda. He also competed in two seasons in 250 cm3 GP in 2007 (6th on Honda) and 2008 (8th on Aprilia). He finished 22nd in the Championship in 2015 in MotoGP on a Honda from the Aspar team, then 13th in 2016 on a Ducati, still with Aspar.
He returned to Superbike in 2017 and 2018 on a Shaun Muir Racing Milwaukee Aprilia, with two third places in the United States and at Misano.
Eugene will attempt this Thursday to pass the medical examination at the circuit which will determine his ability to return to the track on Friday. “ Ten days ago I would have come to the conclusion that I was not fit for Donington and Laguna Seca, estimated Laverty. But without something in my sights, I felt defeated and began to think that Laguna Seca might be a possibility if I continued to work hard. It’s a circuit that runs counterclockwise, so the right wrist is less stressed.”
“After six weeks of little progress, my right wrist finally left the critical phase and that's when I started to reconsider Donington. Yesterday I rode a 300cc and assessed my position for pain relief. Donington will be a big challenge physically, but mentally I can't bear to sit on the sidelines if there is even the slightest chance I could take part. I can’t silence the pilot in me.”
In case of incapacity, Tommy Bridewell who rode the bike at Imola and Jerez will be there to replace Eugene. According to Tommy, “ In Imola it was done in a hurry but we did a good job and in Jerez I expected to be stronger. We've worked hard to understand this new Ducati Panigale V4 R ».
Photos © worldsbk.com / Dorna and elaverty.com
