Czech Holan named as rider killed at North West 200

The rider killed in an accident at the North West 200 on Thursday has been named as Kamil Holan, from the Czech Republic.

The crash occurred at Station Corner in the opening Superbike qualifying session on Thursday morning in Northern Ireland.

Holan, 48, is the first fatality at the North West 200 since Malachi Mitchell-Thomas was killed in a Supertwins race in 2016, and he is the 20th to lose their life in the 97-year history of the event.

Hefty74, Holan's team, led tributes to the Czech rider, saying "above all he was a wonderful friend and a man of great character".

"Kamil, you were an inspiration, support and a partner in life and on the track. Your humility, passion and smile will be missed every second," Hefty74 posted on Facebook.

"Your legacy will live on in Hefty74 and in our hearts. We express our deepest and most sincere condolences to his entire family and all his loved ones".

One of a number of international riders competing at the road race in Northern Ireland, Holan, who lived in Prague, first raced at the North West 200 in 2022.

His most notable victory came at the Manx Grand Prix in 2012, when he won the Newcomers 'A' race to become the first rider from the Czech Republic to win at the event.

Holan also raced at the Isle of Man TT and had a best finish of 20th in the 2018 Superbike race, was a regular in European road racing and a multiple race winner in his native Czech Republic.

In the most recent running of the Ulster Grand Prix in 2019, Holan had two 14th place finishes in the Supersport and Superstock classes.

Holan was initially not named at the request of his family, North West 200 organisers said on Thursday afternoon.

"The session was immediately red-flagged and emergency services attended the scene but unfortunately the rider succumbed to his injuries," the organisers said.

"Coleraine and District Motor Club, the organisers of the races, offer our sincere condolences to the family and team."

Holan's family gave their approval for the event to continue, and the rest of the practice sessions scheduled for Thursday morning took place in the evening instead of the three planned races.

Race organisers have confirmed the races that were originally planned for Thursday night will not be added to Saturday's six-race schedule.

The North West 200 is an international road race that takes place on 8.97 miles of closed public roads on the north coast of Northern Ireland, between the towns of Portstewart, Coleraine and Portrush.

Station Corner is a fast right-hand bend on the road between Portstewart and Coleraine.