After finishing as runner-up in the 2004 British 125 championship, Eugene Laverty - brother of racing siblings Michael and John - found his way on to a Red Bull-backed Honda CBR600RR the following year in the British Supersport championship. He enhanced his four-stroke credentials by taking a podium on his way to ninth overall in 2005 and finishing in third place with four wins behind Tom Sykes and Cal Crutchlow the following season. A full-time ride in 250 Grands Prix followed in 2007 with the LCR Honda team and, although Laverty scored points at Jerez, he finished the season in 25th place. An alternative 250 ride emerged at the beginning of 2008 but a frustrating time saw the Ballymena-born Irishman stand in for the injured Fabien Foret in the Yamaha World Supersport team at the end of that season. Despite carrying an injury, Laverty scored a podium finish, helping the 22-year-old secure a full-time ride in the series with Parkalgar Honda for 2009. He repaid the faith shown in him by taking four wins last year, including one at the final round - his team's home race - to secure runner-up spot in the World Supersport standings. He plans to improve on that overall position by sticking with the same team and machinery in 2010.