Eugene Laverty has eight championship points to his name

Eugene Laverty clinched a world championship point by finishing 15th in Sunday's 250cc grand prix at the Sachsenring circuit in Germany.

The Blusens Aprilia rider from Toomebridge had qualified in 19th place for the race which was won by Marco Simoncelli with Hector Barbera second.

Alvaro Bautista completed the podium and Finn Mika Kallio was fourth.

It was Laverty's fourth points-scoring finish but he had failed to win points in any of his previous three races.

The Northern Ireland rider's best results this season are 13th-place finishes in Italy and China.

Laverty was involved in a five-rider battle for 11th position but lost out to the factory machines towards the finish.

"I'm very disappointed with how the race finished. In the wet morning warm up I was fifth fastest so I was praying for more rain.

"I looked on course for 11th position with just six laps remaining but I suffered around the long curves as the fuel-load lightened and got bumped back to 15th at the flag.

"I've shown that I am fast enough but in the race it's always tough to fight with riders on superior machinery.

"Anyway, we have the summer break now so I look forward to the rest before taking on the second half of the season."

Laverty is also set to ride for the Stobart Honda team in the forthcoming World Superbike rounds at Donington Park and Brands Hatch.