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FRENCH motorbike racer Franck Petricola died in Wednesday night’s practice session of the Isle of Man TT.
The 32-year-old was making his TT debut after being forced to miss last season’s race in the North West 200 meeting.
But he died in an accident at Sulby Crossroads during trial runs.
He was left in a coma after his 2014 crash and was not expected to race again, having broken two vertebrae, his left arm, right elbow and several ribs as well as perforated lungs and serious head injuries.
The Frenchman enjoyed a successful 2013 season, finishing 11th overall in the superbike category.
The Auto-Cycle Union expressed its “deepest sympathy” to his family and friends and said the coroner was investigating the death.
Clerk of the course Gary Thompson said: “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.”
He was the 141st fatality since races began in 1907.
