We are sad to report that the 2015 Isle of Man TT has claimed its first fatality, as French rider Franck Petricola died during Wednesday’s qualifying session, in an incident at Sulby Crossroads.
The 32-year-old was competing in his first Isle of Man TT, though he had been a regular in the Irish Road Racing Championship, where in 2013 he achieved his top overall finish with an 11th in the Superbike category.
Petricola was set to debut at the Isle of Man last year, but an injury at the North West 200 precluded him from competing. This makes his death this especially tragic, as he had worked so hard to get back to riding fitness in time for this year’s Isle of Man TT.
“Franck showed incredible character to battle back from the serious injuries he suffered at the North West 200 last year when many a lesser man would have given up the challenge but it showed his determination to compete on the mountain course,” said Gary Thompson, the Isle of Man TT Races Clerk of the Course.
“The road racing community has lost a remarkable man and I extend my deepest sympathy to his family and friends,” Thompson added.
A sad reality of the Isle of Man TT, surely the entire TT paddock is feeling the loss of Petricola this week. Hopefully the rest of the event goes by without incident.
Source: IOMTT
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