Laverty lands in Superbike for Monstermob?

Ulsterman Michael Laverty placed himself firmly in the record books with a superb treble win in front of a bumper home crowd at the Sunflower International Trophy meeting this weekend in Ireland.

Making his debut on the MonsterMob Ducati F04 Superbike after racing for the team in the British Supersport Championship all season, the 23-year-old beat a number of established stars as he romped to a hat-trick of victories, including the prestigious feature race where he saw off the challenge of MonsterMob Ducati team-mate John McGuinness and fellow countryman Marty Nutt.

It was the third successive year that Laverty has lifted the crown following on from his success on a TAS Suzuki in 2003 and the year previous on Joe Millar's Honda 500cc vee twin, and as a result, joins the only other triple winner Brian Morrison in the record books.

As well as taking a comprehensive victory in the Sunflower International Trophy race, Laverty came home ahead of Tom Sykes in both Irish Superbike Championship races with McGuinness claiming a third and a fourth for the Penrith-based team.

What's more, such was the magnitude of Laverty's performances, that team boss Paul Bird is seriously considering giving the young County Antrim rider a berth in his two-man squad for the 2005 British Superbike Championship.

"I've been very impressed with Michael's riding this season and this has been the icing on the cake," said Bird. "He exceeded all of our expectations and now I've got to seriously consider him in our plans for 2005. He gave us as many wins in a day as we've had all season and the way he's gone about his business has been meticulous."

Bird has been rumoured to be chasing down Scott Smart for a position in his two-man 2005 squad. However following this weekends success with Laverty this could have earned the young rider a place in the Monstermob Ducati team in 2005, with the other place being given to any one of a number of riders without confirmed rides for next season.

High on Birds shopping list for 2005 are HM Plant Honda's Michael Rutter, former Hawk Kawasaki rider Smart and also, following his impressive ride last weekend for the Monstermob team, John McGuinness.

However with any out-right descision likely to take weeks, Bird can be safe in the knowledge that Laverty will be a strong contender for a Superbike place next season.

"I've had a good day and it all went to plan," said Laverty afterwards. "I thought John McGuinness would clear off but that wasn't the case and I just rode my own races and got the results. Everything worked out well and I'd like to say a big thank you to Paul and the team for giving me this opportunity. Hopefully, I've rewarded them with the three race wins."

Indeed, Bird was more than happy for his young prot?g? whom he guided to third place in the British Supersport Championship aboard the brand new 749cc Ducati this season.