Eugene Laverty hits the right note with approach to coronavirus crisis as World Superbike Championship remains on hold

World Superbike star Eugene Laverty has been whiling away his free time at a much more mundane pace while the championship remains on hold during the coronavirus crisis.
Eugene Laverty has signed up to an online guitar lessons course as he waits for the World Superbike Championship to resume.Eugene Laverty has signed up to an online guitar lessons course as he waits for the World Superbike Championship to resume.
Eugene Laverty has signed up to an online guitar lessons course as he waits for the World Superbike Championship to resume.

The Co Antrim man, who currently lives near the Portimao circuit in Portugal, says the Covid-19 outbreak appears to be ‘under control’ in his corner of the world.

However, along with his wife Pippa, the 33-year-old has placed himself in lockdown nonetheless in the spirit of the ‘Stay at Home’ campaign.

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Laverty has been keeping himself busy with 1,000-piece jigsaws, learning Portuguese and undertaking guitar lessons after signing up for an online course, in addition to overseeing a daily fitness routine.

Eugene Laverty signed to ride for the factory BMW Motorrad team this year.Eugene Laverty signed to ride for the factory BMW Motorrad team this year.
Eugene Laverty signed to ride for the factory BMW Motorrad team this year.

It is a far cry from his day job as a World Superbike rider for the factory BMW Motorrad Team alongside old rival Tom Sykes, but Northern Ireland man Laverty is certainly attempting to make the most of the situation.

“It’s a strange time and while the situation is relatively under control in my estimate here in Portugal, my wife Pippa and I have opted to keep ourselves in lock down out of the principle ‘Stay at Home’,” said Laverty.

And while the former championship runner-up has been learning Portuguese for a long time, he is now using the enforced break from racing to indulge his interest in music.

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“Music and language are two things that I wish I’d done more of as a kid, and now I’m making up for it. They’re great for the mind, too,” he said.

Northern Ireland man Eugene Laverty has been training hard at his home in Portugal.Northern Ireland man Eugene Laverty has been training hard at his home in Portugal.
Northern Ireland man Eugene Laverty has been training hard at his home in Portugal.

“So come the summer we may have to schedule some gigs around World Superbike race weekends. Entry will be free and complimentary ear plugs provided!”

The BMW rider is also completing an online first aid course with his wife, learning how to deal with emergencies such as respiratory arrest, heart attack or haemorrhages.

Laverty added: “They are important basic lessons that can save lives.”

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The resumption of the World Superbike Championship remains uncertain but Laverty is training hard behind the scenes to ensure he is fully prepared when racing receives the go-ahead again.

At present, the Italian round of the series at Imola from May 8-10 is next on the calendar followed by Motorland Aragon in Spain (May 22-24), but the expectation is that it will be some time yet before he championship can resume.

Only the first round at Phillip Island in Australia at the beginning of March has taken place so far as the coronavirus pandemic continues to shackle major sporting events around the globe.

Laverty is an avid cyclist and although cycling is still permitted where he lives near Portimao, he has admirably taken the decision to strike his hobby off his training list for now.

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He explained: “We are still permitted to, but the reality is that there are 100,000s of cycling accidents per year and now is not the time to add stress to our healthcare workers.

“I am missing riding motorbikes. But absence makes the heart grow fonder, so I will be more than ready to return to action.”

Laverty finished 11th in race one at Phillip Island on his debut for Shaun Muir’s BMW team but was ruled out of Sunday’s two races after suffering a concussion following a spill in morning warm-up.

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