The Toomebridge rider, on the Ducati 1098 R, took a third and a confident win in the two Daily Star Cup races in glorious sunshine at the Kent circuit.

Laverty further extended his lead in the Daily Star Cup Championship today by 39-points from his nearest rival Martin Jessopp. Laverty took two solid podium finishes including the race win in the second race.

After crashing during the second practice session Laverty missed out on valuable track time as he currently only has bike to compete on. Laverty was locked in a tight scrap for second in the cup in race one with Martin Jessopp who is riding the ex Stobart Honda, only 0.8 separated the pair as they crossed the line with Jessopp making a pass on Laverty on the final lap.

Race two was a different matter for the local man, feeling happier on the bike he rode a strong and confident race and was dicing in a battle of 11 riders for ninth place overall.

Fending off the challenges from Aaron Zanotti and Luke Quigley he took his fourth win from six races and 13th overall in the main Bennetts British Superbike Championship.

John said: "I was really annoyed with myself after the first race as I just couldn't get comfortable on the bike. I'm still running the Metzeler front tyres and they are really difficult to ride on.

“Plus with me still being on a stock bike I don't have the same specifications on my bike as the other cup riders, I have different forks and also a smaller radiator, which in the boiling hot conditions today my bike was getting too hot and causing me to lose power.

“I struggled in race one but I'm much happier about my second race result and once again I've pulled an extra advantage in the overall Cup Championship.

“I'm looking forward to Donington in a few weeks time as it's a track I like a lot and hopefully I'll be able to get some good results there too."