Yamaha WSBK team rider Eugene Laverty reduces gap to Max Biaggi after Imola event – WSBK news
Yamaha World Superbike Team rider Eugene Laverty has shortened his points’ gap to Max Biaggi after the WSBK Imola event.
Laverty trails Biaggi with 25 points in fourth place. Though he aimed for the podium but a small error ruined his challenge.
Laverty said, “I was disappointed with the results in the first race. The bike was working quite well but I made a stupid mistake that caused me to go wide and then I lost out on the chance to fight for the podium.”
The absence of Biaggi due to his fractured left foot from Nurburgring left him with no points from the Imola event. His absence was availed by two riders, as Marco Melandri strengthened his lead over Biaggi and Laverty closed in.
The Irish racer claimed a double fifth place finish at Imola, Italy. He started the race from fifth place on the grid and finished in the same position. Since the Miller Park WSBK event, he has been doing well.
Laverty added, “I got a good start in race two but suffering from a chattering problem I found it tough to keep fighting. Mid-way I adjusted a button on the handle bar which altered the engine braking allowing me to improve lap times.”
Considering his race setup that was not up to the mark for Laverty and higher tarmac temperatures, he is still content to finish fourth. Laverty was also working to counter the chattering at the rear end. Somehow, he managed with changing electronic settings
of the engine braking.
Following the Italian round, Laverty sustains his fourth position in the 2011 WSBK Championship points table. Perhaps with a close shot for the next French event at Magny Cours, he is willing to surpass the Italian veteran.
It is also reported that Max Biaggi has not confirmed whether he will be fit for the upcoming round of the season at Magny Cours. Missing the French event might cost Biaggi to lose his third position to Laverty.
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