Eugene Laverty's best finish this season is a 14th in Jerez

The LCR Honda team rider was over one minute and twenty one seconds behind winner Aprilia rider Alvaro Bautista.

Series leader Jorge Lorenzo was battling for the lead with Bautista when he crashed on the final lap.

Lorenzo had fought from 20th on the grid to challenge Bautista and ALex De Angelis who took second. Another Spaniard Hector Barbera was third.

After his spill Lorenzo, who won the French leg of the championship last week, got back on his bike to finish the race in eighth place and remains the series leader.

Laverty had been 21st in qualifying for Sunday's Italian 250cc Grand Prix but was grateful to the race stewards for his place in the race.

All those below 17th were outside the stipulated 107% qualifying marker but a decision was taken to allow all non-qualifiers to race on Sunday.

Laverty, who celebrated his 21st birthday on Sunday, earned World Championship points for a 14th place in Jerez and a 15th position in the most recent race in Le Mans.