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- Milwaukee Aprilia work through issues in 2017
Milwaukee Aprilia work through issues in 2017
Eugene Laverty and Lorenzo Savadori battle through a tough season.
Dorna Communications
Ending the season in the top 10 and 11 positions in the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship standings, Eugene Laverty and Lorenzo Savadori had a challenging season in 2017, but were able to salvage some strong results in the series as the British-based squad took on the Aprilia machines for 2017.
Irishman Eugene Laverty made a welcomed return to the WorldSBK paddock for 2017, following a two year stint in MotoGP™. With some positive pre-season tests, he was looking forward to the challenge ahead, but had some work to do in order to feel comfortable on board the RSV4. Ending his first weekend with a top ten finishes down under in Phillip Island, he had a strong weekend as the series made its European debut around MotorLand Aragon. Breaking into the top five for the first time of the season, Laverty had a strong weekend in Misano, but his best result of a top four didn’t come until the series took to Autodromo Internacional do Algarve in September, as himself and his team began to make steps forward with some issues they had with the Aprilia.
“Come to me podium!” My sorcery didn’t work but 4th position is our best 🏁 yet • 📸 #goldandgoosephotography A post shared by Eugene Laverty (@eugenelaverty) on Sep 17, 2017 at 3:19pm PDT
Heading into his second full time WorldSBK season, Savadori had a similar season to his team-mate after spending a season on the BMW. With the switch to Aprilia for 2017 he had a difficult debut, unable to finish race one and taking a top nine finish in race two Down Under around Phillip Island. Slowly beginning to understand his pace onboard the machine, he took a top five finish around TT Circuit Assen but a string of tough races followed. Impressing in the second half of the season, the consistency began to develop and he became a regular top eight finisher. Ending the season on a high, the 24 year old was able to take a top five finish under the floodlights in Qatar's Race One before being unable to finish in race two.