MOTORCYCLING: Michael Laverty on Yamaha for 2017 BSB challenge

Michael Laverty has signed for the new McAMS Yamaha team to compete in next year's MCE British Superbike Championship.
Michael Laverty will ride a Yamaha next year in the British Superbike ChampionshipMichael Laverty will ride a Yamaha next year in the British Superbike Championship
Michael Laverty will ride a Yamaha next year in the British Superbike Championship

Laverty, who leaves Ulster’s Tyco BMW team after two seasons on the S1000RR, will join James Ellison in Keith Flint’s Team Traction Control outfit.

The Toomebridge man, who missed out on the Showdown this year as TAS Racing failed to make it into the all-important top six for the first time, says he is confident the Yamaha R1 will play to his strengths.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Laverty, who previously rode the Swan Yamaha in 2011 for Shaun Muir Racing, said: “I’m really excited to be joining the McAMS Yamaha team for the 2017 season. “The R1 is a fantastic motorcycle, it’s a bike built for the race track in many ways.

“I have very fond memories of my previous tenure on Yamaha machinery in 2011, the DNA of the R1, both in terms of power delivery and chassis performance suit a smooth rider.

“Something that is well aligned to my natural riding style,” added the former British Supersport champion.

“I will have a great team in my corner; working with PJ (Pete Jennings) as my crew chief again is great as we worked together at Swan Yamaha in 2011 so the plan is to pick up where we left off making the transition as seamless as possible.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“We want to be aiming for that level from the start of the season.

“I am looking forward to the change and as a team we will be doing everything possible over the winter to come out and hit the ground running to fight for podiums from the opening round.”

Tarren Mackenzie will defend his crown in the Supersport class on the all-new R16.

International road racing star Ian Hutchinson is also ride for the team at the North West 200, Isle of Man TT and Ulster Grand Prix in the Supersport races.

Hutchinson has won the past four Supersport events at the TT on Yamaha machinery for Flint.

Related topics: