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***Malcolm*** · 29-11-2014, 01:16 PM

New MotoGP rider Eugene Laverty says he will be in a much stronger position to assess his prospects for his rookie season in the class after testing the 2015 version of the Drive M7 Aspar Honda in February.

Laverty made his bow for the Spanish team at Valencia earlier in November but tested solely on the 2014-spec machine, concentrating on getting a feel for the riding position of the Open class Honda and the Bridgestone tyres.

The 28-year-old, who signed a two-year deal with the team in the premier class, will have the opportunity to put the 2015 bike through its paces at the official Sepang MotoGP test from February 4-6 following the winter testing ban.

“The opening Sepang test will be my first chance to try the new 2015 bike. Later in the month, it will be very good that we can return to the same track to continue making progress and learning,” Laverty said.

“Having already ridden the 2014 machine in Valencia, I already have a good feeling for the riding position and the tyres.”

Asked what his targets are for his maiden season in motorcycling’s top tier championship, the Toomebridge man responded: “That’s tough to answer at the moment because we’re not yet sure of the 2015 Open Honda, having not even ridden it yet.

“But, from what I have experienced with the 2014 bike, it is enjoyable to ride and I like the riding position which felt right very early on. It was never like I had to ride in a strange position; it’s not too big, not too small and a good height.

“I will certainly have to fight to beat some of the other rookies and my well-established team-mate in Nicky Hayden; at the same time, he is definitely somebody I need to learn from.”

Laverty, who has been based in Monaco since 2012, had an opportunity to switch to MotoGP to ride the Pramac Ducati last year but opted instead to remain in World Superbikes, joining the Voltcom Crescent Suzuki team after finishing the 2013 season as the series runner-up on the works Aprilia.

However, the Northern Ireland star immediately grasped the opportunity to sign for Aspar and says he is ‘highly motivated’ to make the most of his chance.

“Basically, once the opportunity with Drive M7 Aspar arose with the new Open Honda in MotoGP, I knew I had to go for it. I had been waiting for this,” he told the official MotoGP website.

“I had been considering it strongly and wanted to be competitive immediately. It is well known that for 2014 I was approached by Pramac Racing, but I decided the best thing for me was to stay in World Superbikes.

“Then this chance came up with Honda; I am highly motivated to see how we perform across the season.”

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