Scottish superbike star killed in debut race at Isle of Man TT
A SCOTS superbike rider has died during his debut at the notoriously dangerous Isle of Man TT. Adam Lyon, 26, crashed in yesterday’s Supersport 1 event.
Mr Lyon, from Kilcreggan, Argyll, was on a bend known as Casey’s Corner, around the 28th mile of the course, on the third of four laps.
He had qualified in 24th place for the race, at a speed of 124mph.
The tragedy comes less than a week since the death of Manx racer Dan Kneen, 30, who suffered fatal injuries during a qualifier for the event’s Superbike category.
Announcing Mr Lyon’s death Isle of Man TT organiser ACU Events said they wished to ‘pass on their deepest sympathy to Adam’s family and friends’.
His death took place only hours after his mother, Michele Lyon, 51, flew from Glasgow Airport to watch her son compete.
Mr Lyon’s girlfriend, Sarah Lyall, and his brother Liam Lyon, 29, travelled to the competition with the racer last week.
Miss Lyall, 25, had previously posted on social media about his ‘excitement’ over competing in the celebrated event after ‘years of training and focus’. She shared pictures of him with his Honda CBR1000 and a photo of him watching videos of the course.
The Team Lyon Facebook page had posted: ‘After years of hard work and prep, it’s finally here.
‘The bikes are ready and looking good and Adam Lyon is set to get going. Thank you everyone for all the support, it means a lot.’
An experienced rider, Mr Lyon finished sixth in the 2010 Pirelli National Superstock 600 Championship, with podiums at Croft and Silverstone.
Friends of the racer posted a series of tributes on Facebook. Cody Nally, who works for British Superbikes, wrote: ‘Another sad loss. Thoughts to all Adam’s close family and friends at this tough time.’
Friend Tom Vickers said: ‘The worst news, Adam.
‘Always laughing, a pleasure to work with and always surrounded by his incredible family, thinking of you all.’
Motorbike photographer Jennifer Charlton, from the Borders, wrote: ‘Just the worst news ever, cannot believe this.
‘RIP Adam Lyon. All, my thoughts and prayers go out to your family and loved ones. So tragic.’
Another friend, Ewan Gray, posted: ‘Gutted, definitely the nicest most genuine guy going and not to mention how quick you were on a bike.
‘Thoughts go out to all your family and Sarah. You will be missed Adam Lyon.’
A spokesman for the event posted on Twitter, describing Mr Lyon as a ‘promising’ rider.
He wrote: ‘We want to add our sympathies to those expressed by ACU Events Ltd. Adam was a promising rider and put in some very impressive results already.’
First held in 1907, the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy involves competitors racing along a 37.75mile course through the Manx countryside, taking in closed roads, town centres and the Snaefell Mountain pass.
The start and finish line is in the capital, Douglas, with the full circuit taking entrants around 17 and a half minutes to complete – travelling at an average speed of more than 130mph.
The lap record – held by Northern Irishman Michael Dunlop, 29 – is 16 minutes and 54 seconds, with an average speed of 133.9mph.
The Isle of Man TT is notoriously dangerous, with the death toll now 148 – 32 of them during the past decade.
The deadliest year was 1970, when six riders were killed.
The increasing number of fatalities led to the event losing its World Championship status in 1976.
Many riders have also died taking part in the Manx Grand Prix, an amateur event held later in the year on the same Snaefell Mountain Course.
The estimated death toll for both events is more than 250.
Around a dozen spectators have also been killed.
‘The nicest, most genuine guy’