Chaz Davies has been diagnosed with a broken vertebra after being run over during the first race of the World Superbikes Championship round in Misano.

Davies had been leading the race into the final lap when he crashed with three corners remaining.

With championship rival Jonathan Rea running close behind, the factory Kawasaki rider had no time to avoid Davies and ran over the back of the factory Ducati rider.

While Davies initially attempted to resume the race, he was taken away by stretcher and subsequently transferred to nearby Rimini Hospital.

The Welshman was diagnosed with a fracture of the transverse process (small bony projection) of his L3 (third lumbar) vertebra, as well as closed thoracic trauma (chest injury) and contusion (bruising) of his left thumb.

The incident gave the win to Rea’s team-mate Tom Sykes, who was running third at the time.

There was drama even before the Davies crash, with factory Yamaha rider Michael van der Mark also crashing out while leading on Lap 15 of 21.

Davies and Rea had been locked in a three-way battle for victory with the former’s team-mate Marco Melandri when the Italian went down at the start of the final lap.

Then, near the end, Davies too lost control to hand Sykes his second victory in three races after Sykes had not even run in the top three since starting from pole.

Race 2 takes place tonight at 2100 AEST.

VIDEO: Davies run over after crashing

With 3 corners left @chazdavies7 and @jonathanrea crash!#RiminiWorldSBK pic.twitter.com/OMQ1aSEVqR

— WorldSBK (@WorldSBK) June 17, 2017