Samsung Honda's Michael Laverty has been hugely impressive during pre-s🌳eason te🏅sting on the CBR1000RR, raising expectations of a serious title challenge in the MCE British Superbike Championship this season.

The Ulsterman signed for the Louth-based team after switching from Swan Yamaha and appears to have instantly gelled with the൲ H🔜onda as he targets a strong start to the new campaign at Brands Hatch this weekend.

"ꦍI'm enjoying the bike, it has a nice power delivery and we are running a pretty good pace and wi𓆉th the new rules for this season we are there, or thereabouts," said Laverty.

"This bike and the one I rode last s🅘eason are polar opposites and it took me two days to feel comfy, buꦰt then I was able to push the boundaries out.

"Last season I got in a🦩 position to be champion, but made a few errors, but I've matured enough to know what I have to do," he added.

"Honda have confidence in me to do the job - it is good to be in �꧒�the most successful team in the paddock. I am settled with them, the team are relaxed, know what they are doing and they have the experience that I can learn from."

Laverty's team-mate in the factory Honda team, Jon Kirkham, showed his potential last season when he claimed a coveted BSB victory at Croft and is confident he has the b꧅est package in the ch𓃲ampionship.

"It took a little time to dial into the bike, but we are there now. We have the best p🐈ackage and that is good as the new regulations for the series put♏s rider ability first," said Kirkham.

"I am just looking forward now to getting out there and getting good results. The team around me is a friendly bunch and I settled with them straightaway. My targets are to be running up front and posing questions if I am not on th🐻e podium."