SPAIN RIDER TRAGICALLY DIES COMPETING IN ISLE OF MAN TT

By Andrew Atkinson

Spaniard Raul Torras Martinez, 46,has sadly died in the 2023 Isle of Man TT races.

A statement said: "It is with great sadness that the Isle of Man TT Races can confirm the loss of Raul Torras Martinez following an incident on the final of lap of the first Supertwin Race of the 2023 Isle of Man TT Races.

"Our heartfelt condolences go to Raul’s family,loved ones,and friends.

"An incredibly popular member of the paddock family,Raul’s smile was infectious and his love for the TT and the sport of road racing was apparent to anyone who was fortunate enough to meet him.

"Raul was competing in his fifth TT and had posted his fastest ever lap of the Mountain

Course,passing a racing landmark by lapping at an average speed of over 125mph and securing a 20th-place finish in the Superstock Race.

"When asked what his ambitions in road racing were,he has said: “To have fun with the bike,and to be able to fight for a top-20 finish at the TT in a 1000cc class”.

On his journey to reaching and achieving his racing ambition, he became the fastest Spaniard ever to have raced around the TT Mountain Course.

Away from the TT,Raul was regular competitor at the UK North West 200 and had also competed at the Ulster Grand Prix and the Macau Grand Prix.

Racing was Raul’s life and the loss of such a passionate and spirited gentleman will be felt deeply by the entire TT commu-

Gold medal-winning performances from kickboxers

Four members of Quesada Fitness Gym junior kickboxers won gold at the Castellon Provincial Cup.

Trainer Santiago Lopez, Head Coach at Quesada Fitness Gym, told The Leader: "All the competitors put in an enormous effort to achieve their Gold medals.

"Emilio Jesus Garcia, won gold in the under 52kgs lightweight kickboxing; Zita Leeman won gold in the under 60 kgs lightweight kickboxing.

"Mohammed Salhi, won gold in the under 74kgs lightweight kickboxing, and nity.

Raúl,from Sant Hilari Sacalm was an experienced TT competitor,having made his debut in 2017.

Charo at Roland Garos

Raul was the fastest Spaniard ever to have raced around the Isle of Man TT Mountain Course