The last British Isles rider to make the switch from World Superbike to MotoGP was Cal Crutchlow in 2011, and he believes Toomebridge man Laverty will give a good account of himself.
Crutchlow’s success has added him to the MotoGP millionaires’ club, and he’s delighted Monaco based Laverty will be joining him in the MotoGP paddock as soon as next weekend at Valencia (November 10), where the opening test for 2015 will take place.
“It’s always good to see some riders coming in from World Superbike,” said Crutchlow who will make the switch from Ducati to the LCR Honda squad for 2015.
“There are a lot of the guys who probably deserve the opportunity, but they just never took the chance to come here, so it’s good to see Eugene doing it and I think he’ll do well because he’s got a good riding style for a MotoGP bike.”
Speaking of Laverty’s chances on the Aspar machine as a rookie in MotoGP, the Manx based Coventry lad added: “I’m not sure how he’ll get on, but I’ve ridden with him for many years and he seems a fast learner. I’m sure that he’ll aim to be the top production Honda.
“Espargaro proved this season that the Open Class bikes are good enough, as he has been able to compete at the sharp end in every race with the Tech 3 Yamahas and the Ducatis – so I believe Eugene can do a good job.”
Laverty’s opening test on the Aspar Honda RCV213S will be Monday week, the day after the final race of the 2014 MotoGP season takes place, and team boss Gino Borsoi is looking forward to getting Laverty up and running.
“We won’t expect anything special at the first test,” said Borsoi, who explained the team’s plan of attack with Laverty in the coming months.
“He must get experience of the tyres and the carbon brakes, because these are the biggest differences between Superbikes and MotoGP.
“After that we’ll have two tests in February in Malaysia where we will expect to understand what he likes best on the bike.”
It’s a case of one Laverty in and another one out, as older brother Michael will be returning to British Superbike after two years in MotoGP.
And despite admitting to being a little bit jealous, Michael is confident Eugene can do a good job in motorcycling’s highest echelon with Aspar Honda.
“I think that Eugene will do well here because the Honda chassis and the Bridgestone tyre will suit his riding style,” said the eldest of the Laverty racing siblings.
He then jokingly added: “It’s something that I’m jealous of actually because he’s getting to come here on a competitive machine.
“But jokes aside, I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do.
“It’s always a gamble and a lot of Superbike riders get comfortable where they are, but Eugene has taken a bit of a risk, so he’s fully committed to doing it and I think that it will all pay off for him next year.”
Michael, who has still to decide on which team he joins in British Superbike next year, concluded by saying: “Fingers crossed he’ll be successful next year.
“I think there are a few Superbike riders that could make the jump, especially riders like Jonathan Rea, but Eugene decided to go for it.”