WorldSBK Phillip Island: Laverty avoids surgery after hip and pelvic fractures

Eugene Laverty has avoided the need for surgery following his WorldSBK turn one crash at Phillip Island on Sunday afternoon.

The Bonovo BMW rider was five laps away from retirement when he crashed at the opening corner with Xavi Fores left with no where to go after battling the Northern Irishman for 12th. With Laverty unable to move, the red flag was brought out, Fores remaining with his on-track rival until medical assistance arrived and he was transferred, first to the circuit’s medical centre and then onto Melbourne’s Alfred Hospital by helicopter.

With scans clearing Laverty of any internal issues, the 36-year-old was diagnosed with stable hip and pelvic fractures, neither of which require surgery.

“Sorry for the lack of updates following my crash,” Laverty wrote on social media on Tuesday morning. “I preferred to wait until I got the all clear from the internals medical team this morning so after 43 hours I’m plenty ready for a meal! I’ve been very fortunate that my pelvic and hip fractures are stable so no surgery required.

“Hindsight’s 20/20 and while I could’ve cruised home those final five laps of my racing career I figured there was no point being on track unless I was gonna give it 100 per cent.

“The important thing is that I will recover well,” he continued. “Thanks for all the messages guys.”

He also went on to thank Fores for remaining with him while he ‘was suffering’ describing the Spaniard as ‘a true gentleman’.

Fores returned the favour in his own post, stating:

“Today, the result doesn’t matter. I feel so sad to be involved in a crash with such a gentleman. On his proper last race, had to end like that.

“I’m so sorry for this, Eugene, I felt really bad and very frustrated to couldn’t avoid you on the