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Isle of Man TT race under fire after third death in five days

Davy Morgan, pictured here at the Isle of Man TT.
Davy Morgan has become the third person to die at this year's Isle of Man TT. Image: AAP/Twitter

The world-famous Isle of Man TT race has come under fire after three deaths at the iconic event in the last week.

Northern Irish rider Davy Morgan crashed on Monday, becoming the third victim of the high-speed race in just five days.

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Welsh rider Mark Purslow died in practice on Friday, while sidecar passenger Olivier Lavorel was killed in an accident on Saturday.

The races around the island off the north-west coast of England are being held again after a two-year absence due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the longest break for the event since World War II.

Morgan came off his bike at the 27th Milestone of the third and final lap during the Supersport event.

TT organisers confirmed his tragic death later on Monday.

“It is with a heavy heart that the Isle of Man TT Races can confirm the loss of Davy Morgan following an incident on the final lap of the first Supersport Race of the 2022 Isle of Man TT Races," organisers said in a statement.

“We extend our deepest sympathy to Davy’s partner Trudy, his family, loved ones, and friends.

“Davy was a stalwart of the TT paddock, with 2022 marking 20 years since he first competed in the Isle of Man TT Races. Today’s Supersport Race was his 80th TT race start.

Davy Morgan, pictured here in action during the Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix in 2012.
Dan Kneen, Davy Morgan (centre) and Mark Miller in action during the Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix in 2012. (Photo by Nora Tam/South China Morning Post via Getty Images)

“His distinctive pink helmet was a regular and recognisable sight within road racing, having competed in hundreds of races across the Manx Grand Prix, Classic TT, Southern 100, North West 200, Ulster Grand Prix, Macau Grand Prix, Oliver’s Mount, and Irish national races, with numerous podiums and race victories along the way.

"Davy had recorded 49 finishes which included 25 top-twenty results, and his previous performances had earned him 14 Silver Replicas and 30 Bronze Replicas.

"His best lap around the TT Mountain Course was at an average speed of 125.134mph which he set in the 2010 Senior TT."

Isle of Man TT under fire after triple tragedy

The triple tragedy has renewed calls to ban the event or improve safety measures markedly.

Since it was first held in 1907, there have been 263 deaths in the TT races, Manx Grand Prix and Classic TT held on the Isle of Man's public roads.

Regarded as the 'world's deadliest event', riders can reach speeds of up to 322 km/h along 60km and 264 corners of open roads.

In a heartbreaking twist, Morgan had been considering quitting the sport before the Covid pandemic, but decided to continue.

Speaking in an interview in 2020, Morgan said: "I've actually been contemplating quitting road racing for the past couple of years, but Covid has given me the opportunity to see what it would be like without motorbikes.

"I'm glad I had that chance because if I had decided that I was finished and sold the bikes and everything else, I'd have been kicking myself if I feel like I feel now because the whole infrastructure would have been gone, and it would be so difficult to start again.

"Being away from racing has given me the chance to reflect on what motorbike racing means to me, so I have no desire to retire from the sport for a while yet, and it's been a big part of my life for 27 years now."

with agencies

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