Cecchinello happy with Laverty progress

With young protégé Eugene Laverty having taken his first World Championship points at the Circuito de Jerez last weekend, LCR Honda 250cc boss Lucio Cecchinello has expressed his satisfaction with the 20 year old Irishman's progress.

The talented Laverty, third in last year's British Supersport championship and the only rider in the Honda satellite team in his debut season, opened his points account with a 14th place finish at the Spanish track. He could perhaps have achieved an even better result had it not been for his crash during the Saturday free practice, which left him needing replacement leathers which were not quite comfortable enough to allow him freedom of movement on the forearm but thankfully no injuries.

"I'm very happy for Eugene, he took his first points and this is a positive result," commented former 125cc and 250cc star Cecchinello. "Now we have to support him even more with his specific requirements. Things like his suspension setting and riding style."

Whilst the Italian Team Manager praised his rider's progress, he also sees room for improvement in the coming races. "His lines aren't perfect, but this is normal with a new rider to the 250cc class. We definitely made a step forward at Jerez compared to Qatar."

Laverty had prior experience of the Andalusian track, but now heads to Turkey and a circuit at which he has neither tested nor raced as his World Championship learning curve continues, hoping to build on his Spanish success.