Eugene Laverty misses Sunday's World Superbike races at Phillip Island after 'big impact' crash

The BMW Motorrad rider went down at the fast Turn 10 and was declared unfit to race following a check at the Medical Centre.

Laverty, who finished 11th in Saturday’s opening race on his debut for the Shaun Muir-run team, said: “Unfortunately I had a crash in warm-up and suffered concussion so the doctors did not allow me to race. I understand their decision, even if it is not easy to accept as a rider but ultimately it is the correct one.

“I am very disappointed with myself for the crash as the bike was fantastic. It was the first lap of warm-up, I should have been more tentative and I was on course to take first position.

“I’d needed to take my time and be calmer because I missed a big opportunity for the races today. I’m sorry to the team.”

Team principal Muir said: “First of all, on Eugene’s side I feel really disappointed for him because he certainly turned a corner this morning. He felt as though we had given him a good bike and unfortunately during this morning’s warm up got caught out on a fast lap at T10 and crashed.

“The crash was a big impact crash and as a result he was left concussed and could not continue further in the two remaining races. To Eugene’s own admission he was a little exuberant to crash but we don’t hold that against him, he was trying his best and we are glad he is relatively okay and will be back for Qatar.”

Tom Sykes finished sixth in the Superpole race and 10th in race two after encountering a technical issue.