Rider dies after Tandragee 100 crash

ROAD racer Dario Cecconi has died in hospital following a crash at the Tandragee 100 meeting in Northern Ireland on Saturday.

The 38-year-old Italian rider was critically injured in a two-bike crash during the final lap of the senior support race and taken to hospital by police escort.

The organising North Armagh Motorcycle and Car Club issued a statement which included: ‘Dario was a much-loved competitor, who called the Tandragee 100 his “home”, did much to promote the Tandragee 100 across Europe and even had a tattoo of the Tandragee 100 course on his arm.'

His partner La Francy Benvenuti and brother Luca were flying to Northern Ireland on Tuesday to be at his bedside at Craigavon Area Hospital according to the Belfast Telegraph.

Luca later wrote on Facebook: ‘Unfortunately, Dario has lost the most important battle of his life.

‘The only thing that we want to share is that the doctors have told us that he hasn't had time to notice anything and that in these three days he didn't suffer.’

Tributes have been paid on Facebook including the above video, posted by the page Motorbike Daily.