A man riding in a sidecar at the Isle of Man TT died in a crash during the opening lap of the race.
Olivier Lavorel, 35, from Sillingy, France was competing in his first TT as a passenger, alongside rider César Chanel, on Saturday, June 4 when their motorbike crashed less than a mile into the course. Mr Chanel survived the collision and was rushed to Noble's Hospital by road and then airlifted to Aintree Hospital where he remains in a critical condition.
Mr Chanel, who came off the bike at Ago's Leap, isn't the only driver who has been airlifted to Aintree Hospital in the last week, with two others still in critical condition. Mike Booth, Number 46 in the Supersport Class, was involved in a crash in the qualifying session just the day before Olivier's death.
READ MORE: Masked men force way into woman's home in terrifying burglary
Mr Booth was airlifted to Noble's Hospital before then being transferred to Aintree Hospital where he remains. Just four days before that, driver Dave Moffitt was involved in a crash at Laurel Bank on the course during a qualifying session on May 31. His condition is described as serious but stable as he continues to receive treatment at Aintree Hospital.
In a statement, the Isle of Man TT said: "The Isle of Man TT Races regrets to confirm that Olivier Lavorel, 35, from Sillingy, France was killed in an incident during the first Sidecar Race of the 2022 Isle of Man TT Races. The accident occurred at Ago’s Leap, just under one mile into the course, on the opening lap of the race.
"Olivier was competing in his first TT as a passenger to César Chanel. César was taken toNoble’s Hospital by road and airlifted to Aintree Hospital in a critical condition. Olivier and César were both newcomers at the Isle of Man TT Races and had been elevated from start number 39 to start number 21 after qualifying as the 15th fastest pairing, having posted an impressive lap speed of 108.420mph.
"An experienced pairing, Olivier and César had taken numerous victories and podiums in the French F1 and F2 National Sidecar Championships. 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 César at this time."
The Isle of Man TT is often regarded as one of the most dangerous motorsport events in the world.
