British Superbikes: Glenn Irwin sixth after recovery from injury

Glenn Irwin secured 10 championship points in the first race of 2018 on Sunday

Glenn Irwin finished sixth in the opening British Superbike race of the season a day after the Carrick rider was injured in a practice crash.

Irwin recovered from back and neck injuries to race at Donington Park and he came in 4.6 seconds behind winner Bradley Ray on his Ducati.

Michael Laverty was 10th with Carl Phillips 24th and William Dunlop 27th.

Josh Elliott was second and Keith Farmer third in Superstock 1000cc race one with Alastair Seeley in fifth.

Australian Billy McConnell won both Superstock outings.

The first 13-lap race saw Jordanstown man Andy Reid dice with McConnell and Elliott for the lead until he crashed out on lap nine with McConnell, Elliott and Farmer the 1-2-3.

Race two saw Elliott lead for two laps before McConnell moved ahead and Farmer pushed Elliott into third on the fifth circuit.

The red flag came out on lap 11 with the result declared.

Eglinton's David Allingham was seventh in the Supersport race while in the first ever British Talent Cup race, Scott Swann finished in seventh place.

There will be further race action at the English circuit on Monday.

Irwin is embarking on his third British Superbikes season, having finished 12th in 2016 and 2017.

He missed two rounds of last year's championship after sustaining arm injuries in a crash in a BSB meeting at Knockhill in Scotland.

Irwin won the main Superbike race at last year's North West 200 and in September achieved his maiden BSB victory at Silverstone.