Factory Aprilia's Eugene Laverty could miss the first round of this year's World Superbike Championship after fracturing the third metacarpal in his left hand in a crash there during testing earlier today.

The Irishman fell heavily as he passed through Doohan's at the end of the day and it is thought he may have suffered a concussion as well. The Toomebridge man is now trying to find a specialist in Australia to avoid having to fly home for treatment.

Laverty's significantly better half Pippa has confirmed the injury via text message to bikesportnews.com but is more than hopeful he will be fit for the first round.