The 2005 British Superbike champion has used an older machine for the first two rounds, but for his home round in Spain the Paul Bird Motorsport rider was on an '08 spec CBR1000.
The Vent Axia VK backed team, so long a front runner in BSB have been very late in receiving their new bike and thus been unable to test the machine and get it up to speed.
The team were able to squeeze in a couple of tests between the last round in Phillip Island and Lavilla's home race and the results showed in the Spanish sunshine.
Despite still missing some key parts to bring the Fireblade up to speed, the team are finding the new bike a considerable improvement over the older machine.
Despite just missing Superpole the former Kawasaki and Suzuki factory rider was able to race up to seventh position in the crash strewn race one.
The weather changed considerably for race two and though his result was a lower 11th place the speed of Lavilla's bike is without question The Honda was among the quickest bikes through the speed trap all weekend.
"It was frustraing to not be able to get into Superpole, I was less than a second from pole, but that's how tight this series is," said the Spaniard.
"The new bike was pretty good on used tyres in the races. Where we need to improve is on qualifying and new rubber.
"We also need some parts for the gearbox and the other bikes seem to have the leap on us out the bends, even though we are quick on top speed.
Team boss Paul Bird was also impressed with the day: "Good weekend really, the boys and Greg have done a ton of work, he's been fast all weekend.
"We will get the braking system sorted for the next round and that should put us right up there as the bike is fast compared to everyone else.
"I think from now on we will be very competitive."
crash.net
The Vent Axia VK backed team, so long a front runner in BSB have been very late in receiving their new bike and thus been unable to test the machine and get it up to speed.
The team were able to squeeze in a couple of tests between the last round in Phillip Island and Lavilla's home race and the results showed in the Spanish sunshine.
Despite still missing some key parts to bring the Fireblade up to speed, the team are finding the new bike a considerable improvement over the older machine.
Despite just missing Superpole the former Kawasaki and Suzuki factory rider was able to race up to seventh position in the crash strewn race one.
The weather changed considerably for race two and though his result was a lower 11th place the speed of Lavilla's bike is without question The Honda was among the quickest bikes through the speed trap all weekend.
"It was frustraing to not be able to get into Superpole, I was less than a second from pole, but that's how tight this series is," said the Spaniard.
"The new bike was pretty good on used tyres in the races. Where we need to improve is on qualifying and new rubber.
"We also need some parts for the gearbox and the other bikes seem to have the leap on us out the bends, even though we are quick on top speed.
Team boss Paul Bird was also impressed with the day: "Good weekend really, the boys and Greg have done a ton of work, he's been fast all weekend.
"We will get the braking system sorted for the next round and that should put us right up there as the bike is fast compared to everyone else.
"I think from now on we will be very competitive."
crash.net