MotoGP: Early exit for Laverty in Barcelona

Michael Laverty crashed out on the first lap of Sunday's Catalunya Grand Prix in Barcelona.

The Paul Bird Racing team rider from Toomebridge rider started from 20th on the grid but moved up to 12th before sliding into the gravel.

Laverty's best finish of the season came at Jerez, where he came in 13th to pick up his first championship points.

Jorge Lorenzo won in Barcelona, with Dani Pedrosa second and Marc Marquez completed an all-Spanish podium.

Britain's Cal Crutchlow was bidding for a third successive podium but crashed out on lap six.

The 27-year-old, who finished second in France and third in Italy, had qualified second.

Nine-times world champion Valentino Rossi of Italy finished fourth while Germany's Stefan Bradl crossed the line fifth.