Tyco BMW’s Michael Laverty can’t wait to get on his new bike and start testing before the MCE British Superbike season gets underway in a few months time. His team have been busy building his bike, and are in a position to ride it this week, if needed, and are geared up for pre-season testing.

But testing is all important to Laverty, who hasn’t competed in the BSB championship since 2012, when he then left to take part in MotoGP with the PBM team for two seasons. The Wales based rider has had a busy winter season which involved getting married, but he is focused on the job ahead and is ready to get a taste of what the BMW can really do.

But on top of that he hasn’t completely given up his links to the blue riband class in MotoGP, and will be a test rider for Aprilia for the Noale firm, and is looking forward to the challenge ahead, and is excited to get started in BSB once again.

“I’m excited about the year a head, and I had a busy off season as got married and had a honeymoon, and I’m getting excited to ride the bike, and the team are working hard to build the BMW and it is a big change for them - it is all go at the work shop in Ireland,” said Laverty, speaking to bikesportnews.com.

“They would usually have been a lot quicker but its all change for them with a new bike. If they needed to they could ride the bike this week. We may do a shakedown test in February in Ireland, but that is not a definite plan, but we will be testing in March. I am looking forward to the challenge ahead and I am fired up for it.

“I rode a BMW last year when I was instructing the Pacedays track days, and my initial impressions were good, I have sat on the bike in the workshop but haven’t rode one in anger so feeling a bit of excitement and trepidation and I am curious to see how the bike is going to feel, it looks promising.

“It’s a good bit of kit, and the team are impressed with the figures from the Dyno so the engine is strong and Kiyo showed last year what the package is capable of. We are running K-Tech suspension which I haven’t used in a few years, and working on the chassis to set it up right, but that is what the pre-season testing is for so there is a lot to do before round one at Donington Park. We have our work cut out – but we are ready for it.”