Michael Laverty riding his luck

Fortune favoured the brave Michael Laverty as his number came up with the British Superbike win that puts him into the series title frame. Toomebridge rider Michael, racing number seven, became the seventh BSB race winner in eight races as he topped the podium at Snetterton, near Norwich, on Sunday, also claiming a runner-up spot in the first race of the day. He's now fourth in the championship rankings and aiming higher as his Samsung Honda Fireblade begins to fire. Northern Ireland-based Aussie Josh Brookes leads the way at the top for Philip and Hector Neill's Tyco TAS Suzuki team with Carrick's Alister Seeley completing the top 10 for the Moneymore outfit. Laverty, 31 next week, is now looking for another happy return as he heads for the next round at Knockhill in Scotland later in June. He said of his BSB win: “On the last lap I was looking at the crowd and really enjoying it, knowing I was the seventh race winner as that is my lucky number. I am really chuffed and to get 45 points out of a possible 50 is a brilliant result and we really are back on track. I have to thank the team for their hard work for us to achieve these podiums as the Samsung Honda Fireblade was working fantastically.” His Honda team boss Havier Beltran added: “We always knew what Michael was capable of and we have worked hard to overcome the problems he had in the opening races. He is now back inside the top six and we want to continue moving forward and continuing the progress we have made with the Honda Fireblade.”