"A rider has been killed at Northern Ireland's top motorcycle race, the North West 200.
He was named as Mark Buckley, a 35-year-old competitor from Lough Lowland in Scotland.
The married man died from his injuries in hospital after an incident near York Corner, outside Portstewart, Co Derry, said organisers.
The motorcyclist had been taking part in the third race, the Superstock race, on Saturday afternoon. It was the last day of the international race series.
Organisers have not fully established the cause of the crash yet, and are investigating the circumstances along with the Motorcycle Union of Ireland (MCUI).
Mervyn Whyte, North West 200 event director, said everybody was devastated by Mr Buckley's death.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Jayne and we extend our deepest sympathies to the entire family circle," he said. "There were no other riders involved in the incident."
The annual event is reputed to be one of the fastest motorcycle road races in the world.
A number of competitors have been killed during its more than 80-year history.
Mr Buckley was a regular competitor at the North West 200 and was expecting to compete at the TT races in the Isle of man in June.
Growing old is compulsory, growing up is optional.
I was Marks mechanic at the TT in 2008, finishing 14th. Very nice guy and was making a mark for himself on the road circuits. Came third in the first Zero Emissions race. He and Michael Dunlop gave me a guided lap one morning.
Jayne must be devastated.
Bye Mark.
Me changing his helmet during pit stop.
#152 Straights are for fast bikes. Corners are for fast riders
That's bad news and a shock that it happened on a slower part of the course.
The superstock race was stopped at the end of the first lap. A chap sat next to us was listening to the marshalls radios (via a earphone) and had previously told us about Guy Martin's crash before it was announced on the radio but he went very quiet after Mark Buckley's crash.
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don't forget we are onX and Instagrambelieve it or not !!! southwestbikers@southwestbikers (original, I know.
KTM 1290 SDR KTM 690 supermoto smc R, Zx10r trackbike,
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Suspension and bike work undertaken.
