By Mike Nicks

Only days after receiving the lifeline news that he was to get wild-card rides on a Paul Bird Honda in Britain's World Superbike rounds at Brands Hatch and Donington Park, Eugene Laverty learnt today that sponsorship problems have dashed the plan.

"I've spoken to the sponsors of my Blusens team again today, but it's not going to go ahead," a frustrated Laverty said at the Sachsenring today after picking up a point for finishing 15th in the 250cc race on his Aprilia.

"The team themselves were OK about it because the Brands event takes place during the summer MotoGP break, but there's an issue with the sponsors. My contract says that I can't ride in other races unless I have their permission. At this late stage it's a bit of a disaster."

The 22-year-old Ulsterman is looking for a way out of a situation where he's fighting to keep visible on a bike that's not competitive against factory and semi-factory machines in his second season in 250cc grands prix.

Laverty was hoping to break into the top 12 on the short and twisty Sachsenring circuit, but even here he ran into a power shortage.

"This place doesn't require horsepower, and I got up to 11th after about four laps," he said. "There was a group of four or five other riders with me, and I was block-passing them, but then they started to block-pass me after a while."

Now in 20th place in the championship with just eight points, Laverty faces difficult decisions about his 2009 plans, and was hoping that the superbike opportunity might have led to a revived career there.