Antrim racer Eugene Laverty had to be taken to the medical centre for a check up after his bike caught fire during a World Superboke Championship race at Imola, San Marino.

He was racing in the opening race of the World Superbike Championship event.

After the front of his bike was damaged in a collision with another rider, it veered off track towards the gravel trap.

His Milwaukee Aprilia burst into flames after hitting a barrier at the end of the gravel trap, just moments after Laverty fell off the vehicle.

Officials quickly brought out the red flag to end to the race and the victory was awarded to then leader Chaz Davies.

However, the World Superbike Championship confirmed Laverty was fine after a medical check up. 

Really needed: RIDER OK 👍 for @eugenelaverty , that was pretty scary... pic.twitter.com/H0YKAfuJu1

— WorldSBK (@WorldSBK) May 13, 2017