Two riders taken to hospital after supersport crash at North West 200 road race
Two riders were taken to hospital after an incident during the first day of qualifying for the North West 200 road race.
One rider was transferred to hospital by ambulance, with the other taken from the course by air ambulance.
The injuries at the event in Northern Ireland came two days after two Supersport riders were killed in a 'chain reaction' horror crash involving 11 bikes during the opening round of the British Superbike Championship.
Another rider suffered a broken bone in his neck in the incident, while five others sustained minor injuries and three escaped unharmed.
Both Monday's and Wednesday's incidents involved bikes from motorcycling's Supersport class for 600cc-powered machines, slightly smaller than 1,000cc Superbikes.
NW200 organisers said in a statement: 'Two riders were involved in an incident at Mill Road roundabout on the NW200 course six minutes into the Supersport qualifying session.'
'Both riders were injured in the incident and the on-course medical team attended the scene. The riders were subsequently transferred to hospital, one by road ambulance and the other by air ambulance.'
Red flags had been displayed to halt the Supersport session and a lengthy delay ensued before bikes were allowed back on the course to complete two laps before the action concluded for the day and the roads re-opened.
Earlier in the delay, the opening Superbike session was twice delayed by oil deposits on the circuit which required red flags to be displayed.
Further practice is scheduled to take place on Thursday, with roads closing from 9am to 3pm, followed by three scheduled races on Thursday evening. Six more races are scheduled to take place on Saturday on the road circuit that runs between the towns of Portstewart, Colleraine and Portrush.
On Monday, Owen Jenner, 21, and Shane Richardson, 29, were killed at Oulton Park in scenes organisers described as 'severe and catastrophic'. Tom Tunstall, 47, was also rushed to Royal Stoke University Hospital with 'significant back and abdominal injuries'.
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