WSB: Laverty poised for Imola return

Eugene Laverty is confident of making his World Superbike comeback a fortnight earlier than planned, targeting a return at Imola next weekend.

After breaking his pelvis in a Thailand crash on 25^th March, Laverty has been recuperating firstly in hospital and since at home, undergoing regular medical assessment.

The Milwaukee Aprilia rider originally pencilled in a Donington return at Round 6, but was pleased to confirm this week that he will aim to race in Italy next weekend.

‘Eugene met with the orthopaedic doctor today (Friday) and the pelvic fractures are healing well. He’ll have to pass his medical on Thursday at Imola but the plan is to race. With another week still remaining he’s confident he’ll be fit,’ an official statement reads.

Also returning at Imola will be California’s Jake Gagne, who suffered heavy bruising in a free practice crash at Assen and was forced to sit out the race weekend. Later checks also revealed a cracked vertebra, although it is unclear whether this was sustained in his Netherlands crash or in a previous incident.

Gagne’s Red Bull Honda team-mate Leon Camier has expressed a strong desire to race in Italy although doctors are advising the Englishman to prolong his convalescence after suffering three cracked ribs and a punctured lung when he suffered an accident in the opening race at Aragon in mid-April.