Eugene Laverty joins Fixi Crescent Suzuki

FIXI Crescent Suzuki have announced Eugene Laverty as one of the two riders who will ride for them next season in the World Superbike Championship.

Laverty won a total of nine races in the 2013 season and finished second in the World Superbike Championship, missing out by 23 points despite winning the two races at the final round of the Championship in Jerez.

The 27-year-old said: “I'm delighted to join Crescent Suzuki for the 2014 season. I will try the GSX-R1000 for the first time at the end of this month to better understand our potential, and I am really excited to see what I can do with the bike.

“Thank you to Paul Denning and his team, and to Suzuki, for pushing so hard for this deal and for believing in me. I will give everything I possibly can to bring Suzuki to the top of the podium again!”

To increase their competitive level for 2014, the Crescent Suzuki team are said to be working to an ‘aggressive development plan’ for the GSX-R1000 Superbike to ensure the improvements match the capability of their new rider.

Team Manager Paul Denning added: “It is an exciting prospect for the Crescent Suzuki team to have secured the services of a rider of Eugene’s calibre. He has shown regularly this season that he has the determination, ability and technique to secure superb results, even when things are against him. Eugene brings a different level of expectation to the team and it is now up to us to give him the tool for the job.

“We have made big steps this season with the GSX-R, and with further developments planned for 2014 I am convinced that Eugene will be able to get the maximum potential from the Suzuki.”

The Irishman will take part in the team’s final test of the season at Jerez later on in November.