LAVERTY SEIZES CONTROL OF SERIES
12 September 2004 - Honda Racing

Eugene Laverty has regained the lead in the British 125GP Championship after a pulsating penultimate round at Oulton Park.

The Ulster teenager passed the chequered flag in second position followed extremely closely by Kris Weston and Red Bull Rookies Honda team-mate Steven Neate.

With series leader Christian Elkin having crashed out on lap seven, Laverty’s podium finish puts him four points clear at the top of the standings with everything to play for at the final round at Donington Park. An extremely close 14-lap race saw the two Red Bull Rookies Honda RS125s battling in the top five from the start.

Laverty powered into the lead from his front row starting position, with Neate slotting into fifth on the 2.692-mile track. On lap three Elkin passed the Toomebridge rider to claim the advantage at the front of the pack, while Laverty struck back one lap later.

On lap five Elkin and Beech both passed 18-year-old Laverty, leaving him to battle with team-mate Neate for the final place on the rostrum. However, Elkin’s crash – while under pressure from the Red Bull Rookies Hondas – blew both the race and the championship wide open as Beech extended his advantage. Weston was added to the mix for the runner-up slot with nail-biting consequences.

Laverty finally emerged from the final lap showdown between the three to take 20 invaluable points towards his title challenge. He crossed the line in a photo finish just 0.007 seconds ahead of Weston with Neate finishing directly behind them in fourth.

Eugene Laverty: “I needed a bit of luck today, but I definitely earned it. I felt that I could run at the front, but everything changed when Christian [Elkin] crashed. It was the best and the worst thing that could have happened. Inevitably I had to think about the title, but I also had to work hard to take the championship lead. I owe a big thank you to my Red Bull Rookies Honda team-mate. Steven was awesome out there and it was good to see him back at the front. It’s all down to the last round now, but at least we’re going into it with a four-point advantage.”

Steven Neate: “I guess that Oulton Park must be the best circuit for me and the Red Bull Rookies Honda. Getting away with the leaders after a good start made all the difference. It’s crucial here, because it’s easier to run with the leading group than ride round on your own. I was riding shotgun behind my team-mate at times and we had a great race with Weston. I am delighted for Eugene and hope that I have played a significant part in his title challenge.”

Result: 1. A. Beech (Honda) 25:17.339; 2. E. Laverty (Red Bull Rookies Honda) +9.063; 3. K. Weston (Honda) +9.070; 4. S. Neate (Red Bull Rookies Honda) +9.298; 5. B. Clark (Honda) +16.925; 6. M. Wilcox (Honda) +17.067; 7. D. Cooper (Honda) +17.394; 8. A. Walker (Aprilia) +34.394; 9. J. Webb (Honda) +35.601; 10. D. Linfoot (Honda) +35.951

Points after round 12: 1. Laverty – 203; 2. Elkin – 199; 3. Wilcox – 153; 4. Weston – 127; 5. Beech – 106; 6. Bridewell – 88; 7. Pearson – 87; 8. Clark – 84; 9. Dickinson – 71; 10. Neate – 70

www.honda-racing.co.uk

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