Eugene Laverty was almost three seconds away from a points place

Eugene Laverty just missed out on a points position after finishing 16th in Sunday's 250cc grand prix at Brno in the Czech Republic.

The Toomebridge rider, who started from 14th, needed to be in the top 15 on his Blusens Aprilia machine to claim championship points.

Laverty is 20th in the 250 standings on eight points.

Spain's Alex Debon won the race with compatriot Alvaro Bautista second and Marco Simoncelli of Italy in third.

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