From a press release issued by MonsterMob Ducati:

LAVERTY JOINS MONSTERMOB DUCATI

Paul Bird Motorsport has today announced that young Ulsterman Michael Laverty will be joining the championship winning MonsterMob Ducati team to front their assault on the 2004 British Supersport Championship.

The 22 year old from Toomebridge, who finished fourth aboard a Honda in the 2003 series winning two races including the final round at Donington, will have at his disposal a pair of brand new 749cc Ducati machines as he aims to reclaim the prestigious title for the 2002 champions.

Now in his sixth season of road racing, the former double Irish motocross champion is looking forward to the forthcoming season and is glad to have secured one of the most coveted of rides in the series:

“I’m delighted to be joining such a professional team which has such a proven pedigree in the British Championship paddock. This will give me the best chance of winning with riding the best bike and on the best tyres and with the best team behind me. It’s a fantastic opportunity for me and I’m really excited about it”.

Team owner Paul Bird had been keeping tabs on Laverty for much of the 2003 season and despite him being in demand, the Cumbrian businessman offered him a deal before flying out to the Macau Grand Prix. Upon his return this week, Laverty had already put pen to paper to finalise the deal:

“Michael has been in our plans for a long time and we have always rated him. We know how he works and what makes him tick and we feel we can give him the best chance to win the title back for us. I’ve been impressed with him sufficiently to offer him a two year deal so that we can continue to the next level as he has proved that he is championship material without doubt. The whole team is very happy that Michael has decided to join us and we are all looking forward to working together” said Bird.

Bird expects to announce his rider for the 2004 British Superbike Championship at a Press Conference within the next two to three weeks.