Motorcycle rider OK after bike explodes into fireball in Imola

Published May. 14, 2017 10:49 a.m. ET

Samuel Reiman

Eugene Laverty, a 30-year-old motorcycle racer from Ireland, was able to walk away uninjured after a scary crash at Imola on Saturday.

On Lap 13 of race one of a Superbike World Championship race, Laverty collided with Alex Lowe’s Yamaha, damaging his Aprilia.

Knowing something was wrong, Laverty jumped off of his motorcycle which continued to run at a high rate of speed into a barrier, where it exploded into a fireball upon impact.

https://twitter.com/WorldSBK/status/863589809608048640?s=03

The fire was quickly extinguished, and Laverty was able to walk away but was taken to the medical center as a precaution.

The race was red flagged and called with Chaz Davies declared the race winner.

https://twitter.com/eugenelaverty/status/863488045747752962