ALAN BONNER JUST LIVED HIS RACING DREAM

MARCUS CAVAROLI ON THE OUTSTANDING RACER AND PERSON, ALAN BONNER, A TRUE ROAD WARRIOR

WHEN I first met Alan Bonner in October 2015, it was to present him with an award for becoming the fastest ever rider from the Republic around the Isle of Man TT course - lapping the 37.75-mile circuit at an astounding 127.09mph.

That day in Drogheda’s Westcourt Hotel, however, Alan was in a bad way. He had broken his back and suffered other serious injuries in a high-speed crash at the Ulster Grand Prix a few weeks before.

Wearing a special spinal brace, he moved gingerly, was clearly in pain and looked almost frail, although he didn’t seem concerned about his own condition and happily chatted with the other award winners.

I’d met motorcycle road racers before and knew all about their remarkable courage, but I couldn’t help thinking that Alan’s racing career was over, that the massive physical and mental challenges he faced would be too great to overcome. How wrong I was. He spoke only vaguely at the time about his hopes of racing again, but such was his reputation in the sport, sponsors came forward in the subsequent weeks and months.

He got back on the bike eventually and in 2016 marked his return to Irish road racing by finishing second quickest in superbike practice at Skerries, ending the race itself in fourth place. It was a triumph over adversity.

The bravery of this quiet, unassuming man just to get back on a racing bike - let alone perform at the highest level against some of the top riders on the planet - defied belief.

I never had the privilege of watching Alan Bonner compete - or indeed Derek Brien from Bellewstown who perished at the TT Races six years ago - but there’s no doubt that road racers are a special breed of sportsman.

They put their lives on the line every time they go out and compete, and for them that’s part of the thrill of racing. Tragically for Alan and for his family and friends, the sport he loved so dearly cost him his life.

‘The bravery of this quiet, unassuming man just to get back on a racing bike - let alone perform at the highest level - defied belief’