Olivier Lavorel dies after a crash at 2022 Isle of Man TT

UPDATE: The Isle of Man TT announced on Wednesday 8 June that Lavorel had been confirmed as dead in a case of "mistaken identification". Cesar Chanal has died, they confirmed, and Lavorel remains in critical condition.

Lavorel, 35, from Sillingy, France was the passenger of the Sidecar entry alongside fellow Frenchman Cesar Chanel, when they were involved in an incident at Ago’s Leap, less than one mile after the startline on the opening lap.

The race was red flagged before being cancelled entirely a short time after. Lavorel is understood to have died instantly, while Cesar was taken to Noble Hospital in a critical condition. He has since been airlifted to Aintree Hospital in Merseyside.

Both Lavorel and Cesar were competing at the TT for the first time having tasted success in the French F1 and F2 National Sidecar Championships.

The pair had turned heads in their first week bu placing 15th on the leaderboard after qualifying practice with a newcomer best lap of 108.420mph.

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.”

Mark Purslow died earlier this week.