Tyco BMW’s Michael Laverty is feeling more confident onboard his S1000RR, and after narrowly missing out on a podium during the second MCE British Superbike race at Snetterton on Sunday, he now has race wins as his next target.

Unfortunately the Wales-based rider experienced a technical DNF in the opening race, while fighting for a top five finish. His engine failed and he had to retire to the pits, but he feels that his team have found a good base setting with the BMW, and wants to come out of the starting blocks on the pace at Knockhill.

Laverty’s main priority this season was to make it into the Showdown, but he feels that he’s already on the back foot after a few DNF’s, but he was able to claw back some points with a fourth in race two.

“The race was a lot better and we are taking steps every weekend. We had engine failure in race one and we didn’t have the information to improve the bike for race two, as we were lacking that bit of grip off the corners and the bike was a bit unsettled - otherwise I felt I could have made a move for the podium,” said Laverty, speaking to bikesportnews.com.

“But overall I am happy and I am moving up the sharp end and I am getting more confident with the bike and to be a bit more aggressive with it. Now we are getting useful data every time we go out, and we are getting a good base setting.”

Laverty felt that he ‘gave away some points’ this weekend, but he is only one spot away from getting into Showdown contention, and is 21 points adrift from Honda Racing’s Jason O’Halloran in the standings - so getting on to the top step of the rostrum is a must for the Northern Irishman.

“We are seventh in the standings – it is disappointing to give away points in race one and we will come back stronger at Knockhill and if I can get a couple of wins on the board then that will cement a Showdown position. So the main aim is to get the pace to win races and if I can do that in the next two rounds then we can bag that Showdown spot, but we are on the back foot and I have given away some points early doors but I will keep pushing hard every weekend.”

“When we get to Knockhill hopefully we can be stronger on the Friday instead of slowly getting there, as there is a lot more potential with the bike and me, and we will keep on trying to understand and improve.”