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British rider Daniel Hegarty of Topgun Honda in action during the Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix. Hegarty crashed on lap six of the race and died en route to hospital. Photo: EPA

Tributes paid to tragic Daniel Hegarty on final day of Macau Grand Prix overshadowed by his death

Hegarty’s death occurred at the notorious Fisherman’s Bend section of the Guia circuit, scene also of the last fatality at the event in 2012

The partner of Daniel Hegarty has led grief-stricken tributes to the rider who died on Saturday after crashing during the Macau Motorcycle Grand Prix.

“It is with a broken heart to tell you that the love of my life has passed away this morning,” Hegarty’s long-time partner Lucy Draycott posted on Facebook. “I need time to take in what has happened.”

Fellow riders and teams also expressed their feelings across social media.

“My thoughts are with Dan Hegartys Family, team and friends. Gods speed mate,” rider Glenn Irwin posted on Twitter.

Irwin had been declared winner of the Macau Motorcycling Grand Prix on his Ducati after five laps had been completed.

“I appreciate all the congratulations, but the result is irrelevant, and all our thoughts are with Dan’s team and family at this very sad time,” posted Irwin.

The 31-year-old Hegarty was left stricken on the track and surrounded by debris after crashing his Top Gun team Honda into a barrier during the sixth lap of the race. The fall came at the notorious Fisherman’s Bend section of the Guia circuit, scene also of the last fatality at the event in 2012, when Portuguese rider Luis Carreira died during qualifying.

Hegarty died en route to the local Conde S. Januario Hospital from what race organisers later described as “serious injuries.” There was no further comment from organisers on Sunday when questioned over any possible safety issues at the particular section of the track where the accident took place.

A minute’s silence for Hegarty was held at 6.30am on Sunday at the Macau track.

The Nottingham-based rider had fought his way back from a potentially crippling elbow injury sustained in 2010 to take his place at the very top level of road racing. It was the second time he had raced in Macau after finishing 16th at last year’s edition of the Grand Prix.
Hegarty’s partner and rival riders have paid tribute on social media. Photo: EPA

“The race pales into insignificance now ... Thinking of Dan and his family and friends at this time only just this weekend we’ve been chatting and talking about set ups etc ... will miss you dude RIP,” posted this year’s race runner-up Peter Hickman.

Organisers of the Armoy Road Races in Northern Ireland described Hegarty as a top class rider and a gentleman both on and off the track.”

“A massive loss to our sport,” the team posted.

This article appeared in the South China Morning Post print edition as: girlfriend of fallen rider leads tributes
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