Laverty fails to finish 250 race

Eugene Laverty competes for the Blusens Aprilia team

Toomebridge's Eugene Laverty failed to finish Sunday's 250cc French motorcycle grand prix at Le Mans.

Laverty had qualified in 17th place for the race but crashed out after only 11 laps of the event while lying in 13th.

The Blusens Aprilia rider had scored points in the previous two rounds, having finished 13th in China and 15th in Portugal.

Spaniard Alex Debon won on an Aprilia, with Italians Marco Simoncelli and Mattia Pasini second and third.

"I¿m angry with myself for making such a silly mistake as I felt comfortable but for one corner which was very greasy," said Laverty.

"I braked hard to protect my position entering this turn and lost the front on the slippery surface. I only have myself to blame and it's a lesson learnt the hard way," he added.

The MotoGP World Championship now enters one of its busiest period with four races in five weeks starting at Mugello on June 1st.