JOE meets Irish Superbike supremo Eugene Laverty

With less than a month to go until his appearance at Bavaria City Racing Dublin, JOE caught up with Irish Superbike supremo Eugene Laverty for a chat about his career to date, winning in Monza and how biking runs in the Laverty genes.

Of all the huge stars making an appearance at Bavaria City Racing in Dublin next month, the one that will perhaps evoke most pride amongst the home support is Antrim native Eugene Laverty.

Currently Ireland’s only rider in the World Superbike Championship, Eugene moved up from Supersport in 2011 having finished runner-up in his last two seasons in the SuperSport Championships. The 25-year old has made the step up to Superbikes with ease and won his first two races on a memorable day in Monza in May of last year.

This season, he has teamed up with Max Biaggi at the Aprilia team and will be pushing for the top spot after a decent start so far.

Ahead of his appearance at Bavaria City Racing Dublin, JOE caught up with him for a chat about his career to date, winning in Monza and how biking runs in the Laverty genes.

JOE: To start off Eugene, tell us a bit about how you became involved in motorbike racing in the first place, was it something that’s fascinated you since you were a kid?

Eugene Laverty: Yeah, my Dad raced bikes years ago so there were always bikes around the house when I was a kid. My two older brothers raced as well so there was huge interest in the family.

Saying that, I have a twin brother who doesn’t race at all, so it goes to show that it’s not for some people. Growing up, there was the option to do it or not to do it, but I’ve always been fascinated by racing.

JOE: An interest in the bikes is obviously something that runs in the family with your father and brothers being so involved, but were there a lot of people that told you were mad to do something considered as a dangerous sport?

EL: I guess people outside of the sport tend to think that, but everyone inside the sport accepted it. Everything has its dangers. I started off doing motocross and then road racing, but I don’t do the street races at all because to me, that is a big risk, so I stick to the circuits.

JOE: Have you experienced anything beyond the odd bump and bruise in your career to date?

EL: Fortunately, I’ve been lucky enough. I’ve suffered a few broken bones in my hands and feet, but that’s mainly it. I have been fortunate enough not to have anything serious happen to me so hopefully I’ll keep on going that way.

JOE: Are bikes something that consume you completely or do you find it easy to switch off away from the track?

EL: My life is in bikes and I’m interested in anything with wheels or an engine to be honest. But I do have interests away from it as well like golf, but most of the time it is bikes that are in my head.

JOE: You mentioned your brothers earlier, can you tell us a bit more about what they’re up to this weather? You must be proud of the fact that all of you are so good at what you do?

EL: I’d say it’s my parents who are most proud. They supported me, Michael and John throughout our careers, so for the three of use to reach such a high level is commendable.

Eugene celebrates with an oversized bouquet of flowers following his magnificent wins in Monza last year

Michael is riding for Honda this year in British Superbikes and he’s one of the favourites to win the Championship. John is riding for Aprilia in British Superbikes, he’s been unfortunate with injuries, but he’s keen to bounce back and keen to race again.

JOE: Did the fact that the three of you that were all into racing foster a competitive edge amongst you?

EL: That’s the thing, there isn’t competition between us and there never has been because we were brought up to respect each other. I know some brothers and relatives only see each other when they’re on the track, but for us it’s quite the opposite.

JOE: When do you think you realised that this was something you could do on a full-time basis?

EL: I started to road race in 2001 so it was probably around 2004 that I thought I could maybe do this for a living. I was picked up by a rookie squad that was developing talent in the UK in 2004 and I was three years with that project from 2004-06. I went from there to the Grand Prix World Championships in 2007 and I just got the break I guess.

JOE: You’re racing in the World Superbike Championship now as opposed to Supersport – has been there been a big step up in the quality of competition you’re facing?

EL: In Supersport there was quality at the front of the grid, whereas in Superbikes, there’s a greater depth of quality in the field. In Supersport I had two main rivals that I had to beat, whereas in Superbikes you arrive at one circuit and the guy who finished eighth the week before might come out on top because the course suits him. There’s a real depth in talent there.

JOE: Was there a temptation to hang around to try and win Supersport after finishing as runner-up two years in a row?

EL: No that was never the case. I stayed for the second year with that in mind but I did everything I could to win in 2010. I won eight races from 13, so it was just bizarre that I didn’t win the Championships that year under those circumstances. But I always wanted to move onto the Superbikes Championships and that’s my focus now.

JOE: You won two races in Monza nearly a year ago now, would those be the most memorable wins of your career to date?

EL: Monza would definitely be the one I remember most. To win one in your career is something, but to get two in the same day is something I didn’t expect and that will take some beating in the years to come.

JOE: Who would you say is the best rider you’ve ever gone up against?

EL: It’s a really tough one to call because it depends on what machinery the rider has. Last year Carlos Checa did an incredible job and everything just fell into place for him.

What people don’t realise is that there’s very little difference in the top class riders and what really matters is the team around you. It can take a while for things to gel and you often don’t see a rider at his best until everything falls into place around him.

JOE: You’ll be coming to take part in Bavaria City Racing in Dublin next month. What have you got in store for the fans?

EL: It will definitely be good fun to do an event like that; I’ll be looking to do the biggest wheelie or some burnouts and anything else you can do on a bike. I’ll definitely think up a few things before the event.

For more information on Eugene, you can visit his website here.

If you're heading along (or thinking about heading along) to what should be a mouthwatering Bavaria City Racing event in Dublin on the June Bank Holiday weekend, click here for event information. There's free admission to 90 per cent of the route but if you're still on the hunt for tickets for the exclusive performance zones, this link has the ticket info.