Battling through a difficult day of track conditions under the floodlights in the Acerbis Qatar Round, Eugene Laverty and Lorenzo Savadori secured top five finishes in the penultimate WorldSBK Championship race.

Irish rider Eugene Laverty took a top four finish following a steady start to the race, he was soon locked in the battle and was able to keep his strong pace for the entire race.

Able to fight up with front runners in the closing laps, Laverty equalled his best result of the season and heads into Saturday with a strong feeling. Beginning to build his confidence, starting from pole position Laverty will hope to end a difficult season on a high.

“This was a real race for us, coming forward we equalled our best result in Portimao hut this was better, in Portimao we were going backwards and this time we coming forwards and attacking guys so it felt like a real race."

"Its’ really nice to be starting from pole position for the first race of the year, we’ve been improving the bike all weekend. Yesterday I wasn’t really happy with it but today they made a really big step so I’m confident we can make another step for tomorrow”

Italian Lorenzo Savadori took the top five finish of the race and equalled his best result, but was unable to make it past his team-mate on the straight with the 5.3km circuit. Feeling strong with his Aprilia machine, the Italian is hoping to make a few changes to improve the pace and the fight throughout the 17 lap race.

Analysing his race, Savadori explains: “It was quite a good race; I struggled a lot at the beginning of the race because I had a little problem with the rear. After this I overtook Eugene and I tried to pass him and he immediately passed me back."

"In some places I was faster than him and in others he was faster than me but it was a good result for me, for the team and for Aprilia and I am quite happy, I want to do more because I think we can do more.”