TYCO BMW rider William Dunlop will not compete in the rest of this year's Isle of Man TT following a crash during the Supertsock practice lap at Laurel Bank.
Dunlop was on course for an impressive lap on-board the BMW Motorrad S1000RR machine before he crashed at Laurel Bank just before Glen Helen.
William's younger brother Michael was also on a practice lap and stopped to help carry William on a stretcher ready to be airlifted to Nobles hospital.
The 29-year-old, despite a heavy crash, has only sustained a broken rib and severe bruising, but that is enough to put his TT campaign to a premature end.
Tyco BMW team manager Philip Neill said: "It’s a cruel blow for William and obviously for the team at what is effectively the biggest road racing event of the year for us all.
"We had high hopes for William in our first year here at the TT with BMW Motorrad, but we are relieved that he is relatively unscathed, having crashed at a very unforgiving part of the circuit."
On Twitter yesterday Dunlop tweeted: "Gutted not to be racing tonight. Let boys down. Thanks to all support they have gave me. Have to wait another year. Good luck to everyone out."
As William is now unfit to race, it is said that he has asked team-mate Guy Martin to take his place on-board the Victory Racing TT Zero bike. Although it is yet to be confirmed, it's possible Martin may be making his electric TT debut.
