Eugene Laverty has returned to Northern Ireland to begin his physical rehabilitation after undergoing surgery on both wrists following a massive crash at the Imola WorldsBK round and is aiming for a return at Misano.

The Goeleven Ducati rider had ten fractures in his left and right wrists which were operated on by Dr Mir in Barcelona. Laverty is now under the care of physio Micky Kerr

When I injured my left wrist previously in 2015 I traveled to Barcelona to be operated on by Dr. Mir. He did a great job then and so this time with a badly fractured right wrist I knew that he was quite simply the best man for the job," said Laverty.

"My wife Pippa and our friend Sarah drove me through the night to Barcelona in time for my surgery on Saturday morning. Thankfully Dr. Mir was able to repair my right wrist without compromising the joint movement which is very important for a motorcycle racer’s throttle hand.

"In all there were seven fractures across the radius, ulnar stiloid process and scaphoid of the right wrist.

"After the first surgery I was able to relax a little as I wasn’t as worried about the surgery on the left wrist and first metacarpal on Tuesday. I watched the races from Imola in my hospital bed and dreamed about what might have been.

"I have a fantastic bike in the Ducati V4 R and together with Team Go Eleven I aim to return to Misano and continue our fight towards the podium.

"Thank you to the medical staff at both the Imola circuit and hospital and a special thank you to Doctor Mir and all of the medical staff at Hospital Universitario Dexeus for allowing me to continue my dream.”