French competitor Olivier Lavorel has been killed following a crash at the 2022 Isle of Man TT races.
During the first sidecar race, Lavorel, 35, was involved in a racing incident at Ago's Leap during the opening lap. Event organisers have confirmed that driver Cesar Chanel remains in a critical condition having been airlifted to Aintree Hospital in Liverpool.
In a released statement, organisers said: "The Isle of Man TT Races pass on their deepest sympathy to Olivier's family, friends and loved ones, and our thoughts and best wishes are with Cesar at this time."
Lavorel, from Sillingy, and Chanel were debutants at the event on the Mountain Course. However, the duo were vastly experienced together, regularly competing in the French F1 and F2 National Sidecar Championships and notching a string of podium finishes.
The day had kicked off with a six-lap Superbike race, which was won by Peter Hickman. But then came the fateful sidecar race, which left competitors and spectators alike in shock.
The race was red-flagged following the incident, which took place less than a mile from the start line between the bottom of Bray Hill and Quarterbridge. As a result, there was no further action with officials then abandoning racing for the day.
Tributes were paid on social media, with motorsport.com editor Nick DeGroot tweeting: "I love this event, but I can never get used to this aspect of it. Thinking about Olivier Lavorel's family and loved ones tonight."
@AHardyBreed posted: "Last Sunday I stopped at Parliament Square whilst waiting for the Mountain to reopen. The French Sidecar team of Cesar Chanel and Olivier Lavorel had retired during practice and were standing in the sun, laughing and drinking pints awaiting pick up. They were living their dream."
@F1naticSam added: "It can be the cruellest sport at times" while @SlatsDave said: "RIP Olivier Lavorel , very sad news from yesterday."
It is the second tragic incident to taint the TT races this week. During qualifying on Wednesday, Welsh rider Mark Purslow died in an accident shortly after recording his fastest ever lap on the TT Mountain course.
His family later released a statement saying : "Mark was loved by everyone, not one person had a bad word to say about him and that's because he was an amazing person inside and out, always cracking a joke and making light of every situation with a big smile on his face, always there for other people.
"He loved to ride, and he knew the risks but he loved racing since such a young age. He followed his dad, Colin, and his talent was immense, he learnt from the best."
