'We all know the risks', says racer after five deaths at TT 2022

Mon, 13 Jun 2022

A TT rider says everyone participating in the race knows the risks - it follows the deaths of five riders at this year's event.

Michael Russell, a rider who spends his working life with the Royal Air Force, said there had been "tragic accidents", adding: "Everyone enters the races with the knowledge of this happening... it's a risk that we all take."

The deaths follow a two-year break in the race around the mountain course, and take the total number of motorcycle and sidecar fatalities on the course to 265 since 1911.

Mr Russell told Sky News he met the Stocktons this year because it was his first year competing in the three-wheel sidecar challenge, describing them as "fantastic people".

They were "part of the three wheeling family that is the sidecar fraternity, and they will be sorely missed," he added.

Mr Russell said for himself the year had "been a very hectic, very tiring, very emotional, [and] very physical challenge".

"Anyone that raises one lap around this place is a hero to me," he added.

"I've seen first-hand the risks involved with the Isle of Man. It'll never stop me doing it.

"It's sad to say, it's a very selfish sport is motorcycle racing.

"I've got a family back home. I've got a wife and two young kids and a grown up child.

"They support me 110% with my endeavour of getting across here to take on the challenge.

"We all know the risks when we take this challenge on.

"But then if you look at it in the same breath, I'm 40 years old and if I walk out drunk on the street [and a] taxi hits me - it's one of those things, it can happen anytime, any place.

"And if that option is there, and someone said right, you're going to die at a TT or you're going to die crossing the road, drunk outside your local pub, I know which one I'd choose."

These biking fans also don't think anything should change:

---