SBK: Bautista also wins at Phillip Island, bad crash for Laverty

A great new victory and a scary accident.

Superbike in the archives after the Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island, with Alvaro Bautista also taking victory in the final round of the season. For him it was his 16th of the season, in a year that has seen the Spaniard and his Ducati take the riders, constructors and team titles. Great apprehension, however, concerned Eugene Laverty, who is in the last race of his career.

In fact, the Irishman was involved in a disastrous crash at the first corner of the fifth-to-last lap, after colliding with Xavi Fores. Great concern also resulted from the fact that TV decided not to replay the incident and the race was immediately stopped. Completing the podium were Jonathan Rea and Alex Lowes, fifth Andrea Locatelli and seventh Michael Rinaldi.

Laverty was then transported by helicopter to Melbourne Hospital, fortunately without ever losing consciousness. According to the Phillip Island circuit medical center, the Irish BMW rider reportedly suffered a pelvic injury.