Laverty flown to hospital with pelvic injury

Eugene Laverty in action before his crash during the final World Superbike race of 2022

Eugene Laverty has been flown to the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne for more assessment after suffering a pelvic injury in a crash during the final race of his World Superbike career.

Xavi Fores, who was battling for position with Laverty, was unable to avoid the Bonovo BMW rider.

After checks, the 36-year-old was transferred to Melbourne by helicopter.

Laverty was initially assessed at the circuit's medical centre after the contact with Fores' Barni Ducati left him with pain to his right leg and pelvis. He was reported to be conscious.

The race was red-flagged, with newly crowned world champion Alvaro Bautista taking his 16th victory of the season from Kawasaki pair Jonathan Rea and Alex Lowes, followed by Yamaha's Toprak Razgatlioglu.

Razgtalioglu's fourth-place finish ensured the Pata Yamaha rider secured second place in the final championship standings ahead of Rea.

Earlier, Bautista also triumphed in the Superpole race by three seconds over Razgatlioglu, with Rea third, after gambling on slick tyres for the sprint event.

Rea had won Saturday's opening feature race of the weekend.

Retiring to take up management role

Laverty was competing in his final race of a 16-year World Superbike career after he announced at the end of July that he would be taking up a management role with the Bonovo BMW racing team, becoming a co-owner.

He was runner-up in the 2013 World Superbike Championship and his career has also included racing for BMW Motorrad for three seasons and a two-year stint in MotoGP.

He ends his WSB career with 13 wins and 35 podiums to his credit.

His last race win came at Phillip Island in 2014 and he has twice finished runner-up in the World Supersport Championship.