By Mike Nicks

The Ulster rider Eugene Laverty, who is struggling with an under-powered Aprilia in 250cc grands prix, will get his first break in World Superbike racing on a Paul Bird Motorsport Honda at the Brands Hatch and Donington Park rounds in Britain this year.

The 22-year-old, who finished third in the 2006 British Supersport championship on a Honda, will partner Bird's regular runner Gregorio Lavilla on a Ventaxia VK Honda CBR1000 at Brands on August 3 and at Donington on September 7.

"They're building a brand new bike for me, and we're hoping that I can test it on a British circuit before we go to Brands," Laverty said at the Sachsenring circuit in Germany today.

"The only time I've ridden a Superbike was when I did about 40 laps of Cadwell Park on Jonathan Rea's Red Bull Honda in 2006 when I was looking at riding a superbike the following year."

Paul Bird's offer could turn into a lifeline for Laverty, who - like numerous British youngsters before him - is struggling against the caste system that operates in 250cc GPs. His Blusens Aprilia cannot compete on speed against the current RSA factory Aprilias or the year-old LE machines, and he languishes in 20th place in the points table, with two 13th place finishes being his best results so far this year.

Bluesens manager Ricard Jové is sympathetic to his rider's predicament, and expects to hear from Aprilia at the Misano MotoGP round in late August about the bikes that he will receive for 2009.

Laverty clearly hopes that superbike racing could open a door for him to showcase his talent, although neither Bird nor Laverty have yet discussed the future.

"As for any future deals, Paul has yet to confirm his plans for 2009 as to what teams, if any, he is running," the Ventaxia team's press managers, Cartersport, told Crash.net.