Motorcycle rider killed in Isle of Man TT crash
Experienced Spanish motorcycle rider Raul Torras Martinez has been killed in a crash while competing in the Isle of Man TT Races, organisers have said.
The 40-year-old, who was taking part in the first Supertwin Race of the year last night, died in an accident at Alpine between the 16th and 17th mile markers on the third and final lap.
Mr Torras Martinez had first competed in the TT Races in 2017, and achieved his best result last year when he placed 15th in the Supertwin Race.
In total, he participated in 21 TT races and won 18 Bronze Replica trophies.
Paying tribute to Mr Torras Martinez, the organisers of the event said: ‘He recorded his fastest ever lap of the TT Mountain Course earlier today in the Superstock Race, with a lap at an average speed of 125.470mph whilst securing a 20th-place finish.
‘Raul was the fastest Spaniard ever to have lapped the TT course.’
They added they were sending their ‘deepest sympathy’ to his family, friends and loved ones, and said he was an ‘incredibly popular member of the paddock family’.
The Isle of Man TT Races, which were first held in 1907, are widely considered to be among the most dangerous events in motorsport.
Last year, father and son Roger and Bradley Stockton, from Crewe in Cheshire, died in a crash at Ago’s leap.
The pair, aged 56 and 21, had finished in eight place in their first race of the competition with an average speed of 106mph on their best lap.
They were among six competitors to die during the event last year. Mr Torras Martinez was the 267th fatality since the event began.
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