Mourning: William Dunlop was killed on Saturday during the Skerries 100
Northern Irish motorcycle rider William Dunlop passed away on Saturday evening. The quiet but quick brother of Michael, son of Robert and nephew of Joey was killed during testing of the Skerries 100 race near Dublin (Ireland). MNC salutes the great pilot and the super dad. Jonathan Rea too…
“William lost his life doing what he loves most,” says his Yamaha Temple Golf Club team, “but that doesn’t make reality any easier to accept and we’re sure it won’t be any comfort. for Janine (his partner), Ella (his two year old daughter) and the Dunlop family "… who have already paid a heavy price in road racing.
Eighteen years after his legendary uncle Joey, and ten years after his father Robert, William Dunlop died from a fall on his motorcycle. This took place last Saturday evening, during testing of the Skerries 100, a race of the same type as the Tourist Trophy, organized every first weekend of July in County Dublin..
The big brother of Michael Dunlop was to celebrate his 33 years on July 23, and was expecting a happy event with Janine … It was also to stay with his friend whose pregnancy was complicated that William had drawn a line on its participation in the Tourist Trophy 2018.
"Janine and I are expecting a second baby, but unfortunately we received terrible news during our 20 week ultrasound and we were referred to a specialist," wrote the super pilot dad.
Loving the today with the wee girl afraid she wants to be the next
– William Dunlop (@ Dunlop6)
"While I was on the Isle (of Man, preparing for the races of the 99th Tourist Trophy, Editor’s note), Janine had to take care of everything herself and during my absence, she went herself to appointments at the hospital for scanners ", illustrated William, himself just recovered from a fall at the North West 200.
"I didn’t have the head to run, my thoughts were always on what was going on at home. My family will always come first, so I made the decision to go home", explained the reasonable (? !) road racing driver.
"We received positive news this weekend and everything now seems normal. After months of uncertainty, we finally feel that we can take advantage of this period and welcome a new arrival," finally reassured the native of Ballymoney (North Ireland).
His team who had naturally accepted the package of his n ° 6, is all the more devastated by his death: "We cannot even imagine what the family is going through, our thoughts and our prayers are of course with them all and with all of our team and sponsors at this difficult time. William was a gentleman in every sense of the word and he will be sadly missed by all who knew him, "she said..
The Show Must Go On
"After discussions with the family, their sponsors and the other riders, the Loughshinny Motorcycle Supporters Club made the decision to keep the Skerries 100 on July 8" we learned a few hours after the tragic disappearance of No.6 Dunlop.
"With the permission of the runners, the club has decided to pay the full award to William‘s family. This event will not count towards the championship, and the club hope that everyone will see this as a fitting tribute to William, to his previous performance and results in the race ".
Robert’s son had won 15 races in previous Skerries 100. In 18 years of competition, he had won 108 national road races (Irish!), To which are added four successes in the international North West 200 and seven at the Ulster Grand Prix.
But like the star Guy Martin, the much more discreet and no less respectable William Dunlop has never won a race in the Tourist Trophy … unlike his little brother Michael who won there 18 times, including three times this year.
Particularly swift on small and medium-displacement motorcycles, William was still four times on the "TiTi" podium: three times in Supersport (2012, 2013 and 2014) and once in 125 cc (2009). He also finished second in the 500 cc Classic race in 2014, and also second in the electric TT Zero race in 2016..
Touched like many by this tragic disappearance, Jonathan Rea was keen to dedicate his – magnificent disputed bus – second victory in Misano this Sunday to his compatriot. Site for its part, associates itself with the pain of his family and loved ones. RIP, William Dunlop.
That one was for you William! Thinking of all your family, friends and team! # 6
– Jonathan Rea (@jonathanrea)
– Jonathan Rea (@jonathanrea)
Related articles
-
Tourist Trophy – Tourist Trophy: Bruce Anstey wins, William Dunlop gives up … –
Tourist Trophy: Bruce Anstey wins, William Dunlop retires… Bruce Anstey won the Superbike race at the opening of the Tourist Trophy 2015 on the Isle of…
-
Tourist Trophy – Video TT2016: Dunlop’s all-time dash cam record –
TT2016 video: Dunlop’s all-time dash cam record Last Saturday, Michael Dunlop didn’t just win the first race of the Tourist Trophy 2016. He also became…
-
Michael Dunlop wants to win at the Tourist Trophy 2019 … and at Pikes Peak ! Devastated last summer by the disappearance of his brother William,…
-
Tourist Trophy – TT 2013: Michael Dunlop wins in Superbike –
TT 2013: Michael Dunlop wins in Superbike New Honda TT Legends rider Michael Dunlop won the first Superbike race of the 2013 Tourist Trophy. The late and…
-
Tourist Trophy – Tourist Trophy: Michael Dunlop abandons the new R1 and finds BMW! –
Tourist Trophy: Michael Dunlop abandons the new R1 and finds BMW ! Besides the death of Franck Petricola, the beginnings of the Tourist Trophy 2015 were…
-
Tourist Trophy – Southern 100 2019: big highside of Dunlop, grand slam of Harrison –
Southern 100 2019: Dunlop’s big highside, Harrison’s grand slam Two months after the Tourist Trophy, the road racers gathered in the south of the Isle of…
-
Tourist Trophy – Tourist Trophy 2019: Hickman and Dunlop shine on day two –
Tourist Trophy 2019: Hickman and Dunlop shine on day two The rain continues to shake up the 2019 Tourist Trophy program … and Peter Hickman continues…
-
Tourist Trophy – TT 2016: Michael Dunlop shoots everything in Senior SBK! –
TT 2016: Michael Dunlop shoots everything in Senior SBK ! Winner of the first Superbike race of the Tourist Trophy 2016, Michael Dunlop lacked luck and…
-
Tourist Trophy – TT 2015: Michael Dunlop will ride on the new R1 – Used YAMAHA
TT 2015: Michael Dunlop will ride on the new R1 Michael Dunlop, the young man with 11 Tourist Trophy victories, will take on a new Superbike for the…
-
Tourist Trophy – TT 2015: Dunlop thanked by BMW, Martin in the ranks – Used BMW
TT 2015: Dunlop thanked by BMW, Martin in the ranks Winner of the three 1000 cc motorcycle races at the 2014 Tourist Trophy, Michael Dunlop has just…