It is with a heavy heart that we report the passing of William Dunlop, who passed away today at the Skerries 100 in Ireland

Crashing near the Sam’s Tunnel section of the road racing course, Dunlop succumb to the injuries he sustained during Saturday’s open practice session. He was 32 years of age.

A veteran racer and a member of road racing’s most storied family, William Dunlop was brother to Michael Dunlop, nephew to the legendary Joey Dunlop, and son to Robert Dunlop – all four Dunlops making their mark at a number of road racing events.

A six-time podium finisher at the Isle of Man TT, and a race-winner at both the North West 200 and Ulster Grand Prix, William Dunlop was a road racing favorite, with many pegging the 2018 season as possibly his last before retiring.

Missing from the field of competition this recent Isle of Man TT, Dunlop withdrew from the Isle of Man for personal reasons, ahead of the fortnight’s races.

Many tipped the withdrawal to Dunlop’s recent crash at the North West 200, and to the fact that his partner was pregnant with the couple’s second child.

Highly regarded and well-respected in the road racing community, his absence is now surely being felt by all. We wish the best to William’s family, friends, and fans. He will be missed.

Source: Belfast Telegraph; Photo: © 2018 Tony Goldsmith / www.tonygoldsmith.net – All Rights Reserved