Former Irish Superbike champion Michael Pearson is said to be stable in hospital in the Cze🗹ch Republic.

The 37-year-old ꧂from Ballygowan in County Down came off during the Superbike race and suffered a bacꦉk injury and internal bleeding.

Pearson has been taken off a ventilator and is responsive and able to talk. He is expected to recover in th🍷e long term.

Prior to the incident, Pearson had w🧜on the Supersport 600 race and had qualified o🔴n pole position for the Superbike event.

The accident happened at the first corner on the opening lap when another competi🔯tor came off and collected Pearson, who slid into some trees. He was airlifted to hospital.

His parents and wife are wi🔥th him at the hospital.