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Sam Naughton, a 37-year-old rider from Castletown on the Isle of Man, has died following a crash during Manx Grand Prix qualifying.
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Naughton’s death comes just a day after Italian rider Mauro Poncini was killed in another qualifying crash at the 2026 event.
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The fatal incident occurred at Doran’s Bend on Wednesday afternoon as Naughton competed in the Manx Grand Prix for the second time.
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Organisers have expressed their condolences to Naughton’s wife, children, family and friends as qualifying is scheduled to continue.
August 19, (THEWILL) — The 2026 Manx Grand Prix has suffered another tragedy after local rider, Sam Naughton, was killed in a crash during qualifying on the Isle of Man.
Naughton, 37, died after an incident at Doran’s Bend on the western section of the famous Mountain Course on Wednesday afternoon.
The Castletown rider was taking part in the Manx Grand Prix for the second time, having made his debut on the 37.7-mile (61km) course during last year’s event.
His death comes only a day after Italian competitor Mauro Poncini was killed during the opening lap of Tuesday evening’s qualifying session.
Poncini suffered a fatal crash at Cruickshanks in Ramsey, becoming the first rider to lose his life during this year’s qualifying.
Naughton is now the second competitor to die during the 2026 Manx Grand Prix qualifying sessions.
The Manx Grand Prix Races organisation confirmed Naughton’s death and expressed its condolences to his family.
In a statement, organisers said they were deeply saddened by the incident and extended their sympathy to Naughton’s wife Charlotte, his children Bonnie, Liam, Jesse and Parker, as well as his wider family and friends.
Naughton had been involved in road racing since 2020 and was a regular competitor in events before returning to the Manx Grand Prix this year.
The Manx Grand Prix is held alongside the Classic TT on the Isle of Man and features competitors racing on the challenging Mountain Course, a circuit known for its demanding roads and high-speed sections.
This year’s events began on Sunday, with racing scheduled to continue through 28 August.
Despite the two fatalities during qualifying, organisers have scheduled another qualifying session for Thursday afternoon.
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The deaths of Naughton and Poncini have cast a shadow over this year’s event, with both incidents occurring before the main racing programme has reached its conclusion.
Naughton’s death is particularly significant for the local community, given his Isle of Man roots and his involvement in road racing over recent years.
The Manx Grand Prix remains one of the most demanding motorcycle racing events, attracting competitors who take on the Mountain Course at high speeds.
As the event continues, tributes are expected for both riders who have lost their lives during this year’s qualifying sessions.
Olumide Atiba is a sports journalist with THEWILL, known for his keen news sense and compelling storytelling. He has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, well-structured reports that resonate with readers, with a strong focus on football coverage
