Superbike rider, 27, killed in 200km/h crash in Isle of Man TT
British rider Daley Mathison has died following an incident during the third lap of the opening Superbike race at the Isle of Man TT.
The SBK race, the first of race week, was due to run over four laps, but was declared a result after two when the red flag was flown for an incident at the start of the third tour.
A road race expert told The Sun that normal pace for that section of the course is about 200km/h.
The TT races around the island off the north-west coast of England have been run since 1907 and rank among the most dangerous in motorsport. Two riders died last year.
Mathison’s wife took to Twitter with a heartbreaking tribute:
Not something I ever wanted to write but here we go.....
Daley, as Daisy says, is now sleeping with the fairies. That’s all I can bring myself to say right now. The last image I saw of my husband, was of a man so happy with life and so proud of his racing. xxxxxx pic.twitter.com/wWCaDJwUht— Daley Mathison (@DaleyMathison) June 3, 2019
English rider Mathison was an experienced runner on the 37.73-mile Mountain Course, having made his track debut at the Manx Grand Prix in 2013.
Mathison enjoyed podium success in recent years, taking to the rostrum for the last three years in the electric Zero TT races - with his best result second in '18 on the Nottingham University machine.
In his 19 TT races, he managed a best lap speed of 206km/h on his way to an impressive 11th-place finish in last year's Superstock race.
A statement from race organisers the ACU read: "ACU Events Ltd regrets to confirm that Daley Mathison, 27, from Stockton on Tees, Durham was killed in an incident during the Superbike race today at the Isle of Man TT Races.
"The accident occurred at Snugborough, just over two miles into the course, on the third lap of the race.
"Daley was an experienced competitor and was seeded 19th for today's race.
Heartbroken you’ll never get to buy me that pint @DaleyMathison 💔
So happy to enjoy this moment with you yesterday. A young man with so much to give taken too soon. Sending all my love to your family ❤️ RIP 😔 #IOMTT pic.twitter.com/i244Kcs1TY— Ben Ransom (@BenRansomSky) June 3, 2019
"He made his Mountain Course debut in the 2013 Manx Grand Prix Newcomers A Race, finishing fifth.
"His TT career included three consecutive podiums in the TT Zero electric bike Race in 2016, 2017 and 2018 including the runner up position in the race last year, representing Nottingham University.
"He also achieved an 11th place finish in last year's Superstock Race and a pair of 13th place finishes in the 2017 and 2018 Senior TT Races.
"He set his fastest lap of the Mountain Course - 128.054mph - in the 2018 Superstock race which made him the 34th fastest rider of all time. He set the second fastest TT Zero lap ever with lap of 119.294mph in the 2018 race.
"In total he started 19 TT Races with 14 finishes and 3 podiums and won 6 silver and 8 bronze replicas
"ACU Events Ltd wishes to pass on their deepest sympathy to Daley's wife Natalie, his family and friends."
It is not yet known if the Penz13 BMW team that run Mathison will carry on with Davey Todd - who was 10th in the SBK race - in the upcoming STK and Senior races this week.
My last ever image of Daley.
Glen Vine #TT2019
RIP Daley....Ride on lad💔@DaleyMathison pic.twitter.com/BvVhQD3hKp— crcmotorcycles (@crcmotorcycles) June 3, 2019
My heart 💔 breaks for you...sending you lots of love xxx
— Rebecca McGuinness (@mrsbeckymcg) June 3, 2019
As if the last few weeks hadn’t been hard enough, today I lost a good mate and one of the nicest lads I’ve ever worked for. @DaleyMathison you were a truly top bloke and possibly the most lucky man alive. Thoughts with Nat, Daisy, Darren. Godspeed mate, see you again soon pic.twitter.com/WNIo2ZS3rw
— Craig (@ValentinoMossy) June 3, 2019
RIP Daley Mathison ❤️🙏🏼😭 #touristtrophy #TT pic.twitter.com/fIWnN1m152
— Valentin Grimoux (@vaval53) June 3, 2019
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