LAVERTY BACK ON THE PODIUM
18 July 2004 - Honda Racing

Red Bull Rookies Honda’s Eugene Laverty was back on the podium today after finishing third in the ninth round of the British 125GP Championship at Mallory Park. It was his first top three finish since his home round at Mondello Park in May.

The 18-year-old rider from Toomebridge in Northern Ireland led for almost half of the 24-lap race before slipping down to third behind Christian Elkin and Ashley Beech.

Laverty powered his Red Bull Rookies Honda RS125 into second place from his seventh position on the grid and took the lead on the way into Edwina’s on lap one. He held his position at the front of the Honda-dominated field until Michael Wilcox overtook him on lap six.

A close four-way dice for the lead followed before Wilcox retired from the race on lap 14, leaving Laverty to battle it out with Elkin and Beech. He passed the chequered flag a short distance behind his two rivals.

Laverty’s Red Bull Rookies Honda team-mate Steven Neate also had a successful outing at the 1.39-mile Leicestershire circuit. The 16-year-old from Barton-le-Clay finished his first race in five rounds of the ultra-competitive 125GP championship. Neate got a good start and remained consistent throughout the race to cross the line in 14th and pick up two invaluable points.

Eugene Laverty: “Today was a good finish for me. It was a return to form after the last two rounds where I didn’t do as well as I would have liked. I struggled through Gerard’s Bend, which left me catching up at other parts of the circuit where I was faster. This made it difficult over race distance. My aim at Croft will be to try and bridge the gap between myself and Elkin.”

Steven Neate: “This weekend has been difficult for me and I’ve struggled to show the pace that I’ve had at other races this year. I gave 110 per cent as always in that race and I’ve never fought so hard for a 14th place. However, I made it to the chequered flag, which is the main thing, so I can’t grumble.”

Result: 1. C. Elkin (Honda) 22:20.257; 2. A. Beech (Honda) +0.249; 3. E. Laverty (Red Bull Rookies Honda) +5.211; 4. B. Clark (Honda) +9.681; 5. K. Weston (Honda) +11.245; 6. J. Dickinson (Honda) +11.625; 7. T. Bridewell (Honda) +17.568; 8. J. Morris (Honda) +18.770; 9. T. Grant (Honda) +25.461; 10. J. Tinmouth (Honda) +27.369; 14. S. Neate (Red Bull Rookies Honda) +32.660

Points after round nine: 1. C. Elkin – 163; 2. E. Laverty – 142; 3. M. Wilcox – 123; 4. J. Pearson – 83; 5. K. Weston – 78; 6. T. Bridewell – 71; 7. B. Clark - 63; 8. P. Robinson – 62; 9. A. Beech - 56; 10. S. Neate – 51

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