World Superbikes: Eugene Laverty back in action at Imola after passing medical

Eugene Laverty raced in Friday's free practice in Imola after passing a medical

Eugene Laverty will compete in this weekend's World Superbike round in Imola after riding in Friday's practice sessions at the venue.

Laverty sustained two fractures of his pelvis in a crash in Thailand in March and was expected to be out of action until the Donington round on 26-27 May.

However his quicker than expected recovery has enabled him to resume racing at Imola.

Laverty was 11th in Friday's practice with Jonathan Rea second fastest.

Welsh rider Chaz Davies topped the times after clocking an identical mark to Rea's best time.

However, Davies' second fastest lap was 0.001 seconds faster than Rea so the Ducati rider was credited with topping Friday's practice.

Toomebridge man Laverty successfully passed a medical before beginning the practice sessions on his Milwaukee Aprilia.

Laverty was struck by another rider after coming off his Milwaukee Aprilia machine in race two in Thailand.