Adam gets on his bike to help the family of William Dunlop

A FRIEND of the late road-racing star William Dunlop is set to cycle 500 miles in his memory.

Adam Carroll (28), from Holywood in Co Down, said he was devastated when Mr Dunlop was killed during practice for the Skerries 100 road races last July.

William’s father Robert and uncle Joey also previously died in racing accidents.

Adam explained what prompted him to take up the challenge.

“Last year I did a charity cycle after a friend of mine took his own life over Christmas 2017,” he said. “I work in Sainsbury’s and cycled around every store to raise over £7,500 over four days.

“I’m a fanatical road race fan and William Dunlop was actually friendly with me. When he got killed it really affected me and was devastating. I thought again about the cycle for my friend and wanted to do something for William’s family.”

Over three days in May, Adam is planning to complete a punishing schedule of cycling six laps each of the Ulster Grand Prix course, the North West 200 and the Isle of Man TT.

Day one will see him cycle from Holywood to the Ulster Grand Prix course at Dundrod, before moving on to Portrush for the next six laps of the NW200 route. On day two he cycles from Portrush to board a boat in Belfast to travel to the Isle of Man.

“The TT course is 37.5 miles, so I’m planning to do three laps each day,” he added. “I like cycling but I’m not that fit that I can do over 220 miles in one day, especially there where it’s so hilly. I just wanted to do something to help his partner Janine and their two wee baby girls because my heart goes out to them.

“I used to go up to Joey Dunlop’s bar quite a bit in Ballymoney and got to know his family. William would have come down the odd time and then I got to know him more by training with him in a gym in Belfast.

“I met up with his mother Louise last week as I didn’t want to do it without their blessing. I’ve been going to racing and North Antrim MP Ian Paisley helps launch Adam Carroll’s charity cycle ride around three international road race

motorcycle circuits . Right: William Dunlop

and wife Janine and (below right) their girls

Willa and Ella Dunlop