Organisers for the 2022 Isle of Man TT have confirmed Olivier Lavroel has succumbed to injuries sustained in a crash during the early stages of the first Sidecar TT race earlier today [4 June].
Lavorel, 35, from Sillingy, France was competing as the passenger in the Sidecar to driver Cesar Chanel when it was involved in an incident at Ago’s Leap, less than one mile into the Mountain Course, on the opening lap.
The race was red flagged shortly afterwards before being called off completely to allow the medical teams to tend to both.
Cesar was taken to Noble’s Hospital before being airlifted to Aintree Hospital on the British mainland in a critical condition.
Both Lavorel and Cesar were competing at the TT for the first time having notched up multiple wins and podiums in the French F1 and F2 National Sidecar Championships.
The pair had turned heads with a best lap speed of 108.420mph that placed 15th quickest come the end of qualifying practice, elevating them up the starting order as a result.
Lavorel is the second person to die at the 2022 Isle of Man TT, following the death of Mark Purslow on Wednesday [1 June] during Supersport practice. He is the 153rd rider to be killed at the TT since 1907.
Full statement from TT organisers
The Isle of Man TT Races regrets to confirm that Olivier Lavorel, 35, from Sillingy, France was killed in an incident during the first Sidecar Race of the 2022 Isle of Man TT Races. The accident occurred at Ago’s Leap, just under 1 mile into the Course, on the opening lap of the race.
Olivier was competing in his first TT as a passenger to César Chanel. César was taken to Noble’s Hospital by road and airlifted to Aintree Hospital in a critical condition.
Olivier and César were both newcomers at the Isle of Man TT Races and had been elevated from start number 39 to start number 21 after qualifying as the 15th fastest pairing, having posted an impressive lap speed of 108.420mph.
An experienced pairing, Olivier and César had taken numerous victories and podiums in the French F1 and F2 National Sidecar Championships.
The Isle of Man TT Races pass on their deepest sympathy to Olivier’s family, friends and loved ones, and our thoughts and best wishes are with César at this time.
