A competitor was seriously injured in a crash during practice for the Tandragee 100 motorcycle road races in Co Armagh.

The rider has been unofficially named as Stephen McKeever from Lisburn.

Mr McKeever crashed his 600cc Yamaha at the Cooley Hill section of the 5.3-mile circuit on the approach to Joey’s Dip during practice for the Senior Support class.

He was transferred to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast under a PSNI escort.

Clerk of the Course, RJ Woolsey, told News Letter Sport: “The rider was taken to hospital following a crash on the Cooley Hill section of the course.

“Practice was then cancelled because the sun was starting to go down and we were running a bit late. It’s quite serious but that’s all we can say.”

Many of the practice sessions yesterday were held under controlled conditions behind a marshal due to poor weather.

Ryan Farquhar rode his Supertwin 650 machine, while Michael Dunlop went out on his 600cc Suzuki.

Farquhar said: “It wasn’t a great night for anybody. I did the required five laps on Jamie’s [Hamilton] bike after he came in.

“The conditions were atrocious because the track was really slippery and dirty and there’s a massive problems with loose stones. If it’s like that tomorrow my bikes won’t be out.

“The course is going to be swept in the morning, but whether that makes a difference or not I don’t know.”

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