The Parkalgar rider's rear wheel spun up, came round, resulting in Eugene spinning off.

"This was a problem we found in practice and thought we had cured it but the temperatures were different (on race day] and that might have made the difference. I got back on and gave it my all to get back in the points from 26th," Eugene said.

He added: "There were a lot of yellow flags and after passing people I had to let them go through again before taking the position back which made it tough. I am now 28-points behind Cal in the Championship but that's a lot better than recording a DNF. Donington Park hasn't been kind to us but it could have been a lot worse."

Simon Buckmaster, Parkalgar Honda Team Manager said: "It was disappointing that Eugene slid off at such an early point but it was sensational how he fought his way from 26th to fifth – after the crash there is nothing more you could have asked of him, it was a fantastic ride.

"We are 28-points behind with five rounds to go – all it takes is one mistake by Cal Crutchlow and we are right back in it."
Yamaha's Cal Crutchlow won the race.

The next round of the Championship is at Brno in the Czech Republic on July 26.