Jonathan Rea and Eugene Laverty on podium at Imola

Jonathan Rea

Northern Ireland pair Jonathan Rea and Eugene Laverty secured podium finishes in the World Superbike round at Imola.

Ballyclare rider Rea was runner-up in the second race on the Italian circuit after crashing out in the opener.

Toomebridge's Laverty came in third in the first race but failed to finish race two.

Laverty is third in the series with Rea seventh, while leader Tom Sykes won both races at Imola.

Sykes is 45 points clear of Laverty, who won a race in the previous round at Portimao, with Rea 110 points behind the English rider.

Rea made a blistering start in the opening race but ran wide at turn six and could only rejoin in 11th.

He moved his way up to fourth, only to crash on the 19th lap to end his chances of a podium spot.

Davide Giuglianio came in behind Sykes in race one with Sylvan Guintoli third in race two.