Matthew Birt · @birtymotogp
10th Sep 2014 from TwitLonger
Michael Laverty: Clear target for potential BSB return
Michael Laverty hopes to welcome a British Superbike title challenge in 2015, having resigned himself to bidding farewell to MotoGP at the end of the season.
With PBM boss Paul Bird withdrawing from MotoGP at the end of 2014, Laverty has been closely linked to a four-rider super team that the Cumbrian millionaire businessman is plotting in British Superbikes next season, as was exclusively revealed by MCN last month.
Bird has been in talks with BMW and Ducati about a second two-rider BSB project that would run as a separate outfit to his current Kawasaki squad, which includes 2014 series leader Shane Byrne.
Laverty, who finished fifth overall in his last BSB campaign in 2012 said he is confident he could return to the domestic scene and fight for the title.
“I would love to stay in MotoGP and get on something a bit more competitive but the likelihood of that is pretty slim, “said Laverty, who finished 17th in his home race at Silverstone recently.
He added: “I will try and get myself on the best superbike I can and Pal puts out a really good BSB team, if not the best in BSB. That is something I will consider seriously. I know Paul is speaking to a few factories but we need to find out what the finer details are and whether it is Kawasaki, BMW or Ducati. I was fast enough when I left and I am a more complete rider now after being in MotoGP, so if I can get on something good I can be in the hunt for the title.”