Eugene Laverty’s first World Superbikes race at the Imola circuit ended in spectacular and very fiery fashion after a heavy shunt.
He was racing with Alex Lowes when on lap 13, approaching the Rivazza double left-hander towards the end of the lap, their bikes made light contact.
That cut the brake line of Laverty’s Aprilia and he went off at ridiculously high speeds (around 160mph), smartly deciding to ditch the bike quite early in the incident.
It’s a good thing he did, because the bike ended up flying through the gravel and exploded into flames on impact with the barrier. Which looked absolutely terrifying.
Laverty was alright after his early bail from his RSV4 RF, being released from the medical centre after checks. That’s a massive relief after a scary crash and he admitted afterwards it was good he got off the bike when he did.
