Isle of Man TT marred as rider Raul Torras Martinez killed in Supertwin crash

07 June 2023 , 05:42

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MACAU, MACAU - NOVEMBER 16: Raul Torras Martinez of Spain driving the (49) Torras Racing Team KAWASAKI ZX10-RR during Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix - 53rd Edition on day three of the 66th Macau Grand Prix on November 16, 2019 in Macau. (Photo by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)

A man has died competing in the Isle of Man TT Races, organisers confirmed.

Raul Torras Martinez, 46, was killed in a crash during the first Supertwin Race of the year at Alpine, between the 16th and 17th mile markers on the third and final lap of the race, the competition organisers said.

In a statement issued by the competition, it paid tribute to the experienced Spanish TT rider. It said: "Raul was an experienced TT competitor who made his debut in 2017, with a best result of 15th in last year's Supertwin Race.

"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. In total, Raul competed in 21 TT races and his performances earned him a total of 18 Bronze Replicas.

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"The Isle of Man TT Races pass on their deepest sympathy to Raul's family, friends, and loved ones."

Last year saw a father and son killed during the competition.

Raul Torras Martinez has died after yet another fatal crash at the Isle of Mann TT races

Driver Roger Stockton, 56, and 21-year-old passenger Bradley, who were from Crewe, died following an incident at Ago's Leap on the final lap of the second sidecar race.

The TT races have taken place since 1907 and are widely regarded as one of the most dangerous races in all of motorsport.

In total, six competitors died last year, while Torras Martinez is tragically the 267th fatality in the history of the event.

Just last month, Gary Thompson, boss of the TT told Sky News that while event organisers are doing all they can to improve safety, riders have to accept the element of risk that comes with participating.

"We try to manage risk much better than was done in the past," he said.

"The riders sign on, they know that risk. And, almost for them, that's the challenge. For us, we manage that risk without taking away that challenge."

Ben Roberts-Haslam