The Irishman began the fina🦋l five laps of his WorldSBK career in a close fight for 13th, between Michael van der Mark and Xavi Fores, before disaster struckꦑ at the fast first corner.

The incident was not bro🐠adcast but Laverty appears to have fallen into the path of ♛Fores, who later posted on Instagram:

"Today doesn’t matter the result.

“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 @eugenelaverty, I felt really bad and very frustrated to couldn’t avoid you on the crash.

“The maximum I could do was staying with you and stopping the race

“I wish all the very best, a good health and the speediest recovery possible.

“Sorry Eugene."

Laverty replied: "Thank you so much for staying with me when I was suffering Xavi, you’re a true gentleman."

Laverty: ‘My pelvic and hip fractures are stable’

Afte🧸r the race was stopped, Laverty was transported from the scene by ambulance and taken to a hospital in Melb💞ourne.

While it was clear the 13-time WorldSBK race winner and former MotoไGP rider had suffered pelvic fractures, lengthy further tests were needed to determine the full extent o🦹f his injuries.

Laverty, who was racing for Bonovo BMW, sent the following message via his wife Pippa in the early hours of Tuesday morning (European time):

“Sorry for the lack of updates following my crash. I preferred to wait until I got the all-clear from the internals med 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 5 laps of my racing career, I figured there was no point being on track unless I was gonna give it 100%.

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

Laverty will move into a man🅠agement role with Bonovo BMW next season.