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Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
‘It's unthinkable it's happened again': Superbikes tragedy strikes girlfriend for second time
Owen Jenner was one of two riders who died after a crash at the British Supersport race at Oulton Park on Monday - Avalon/Mark Ellis In the hours before the worst crash in modern British Superbike history, Shane Richardson had been kicking himself over a 'bad start'. 'Went backwards quite a few positions,' the Astro-JJR Hippo Suzuki rider said of Sunday's Supersport (a support series to the British Superbikes championship) sprint race at Oulton Park. Having subsequently made up ground from 15th to 11th, he was determined to build on progress with a 'better start' and to be 'a bit more in the mix' for Monday's race. Amid his and rivals' determination to push their limits, unimaginable horrors would unfold. Within seconds of getting under way, Richardson may have tweaked the throttle just a fraction too heavily at the first turn, losing the rear end and high-siding. He was then hit by Owen Jenner's bike, who was running two places behind and completely unsighted. Both riders would die and a 'chain-reaction' crash involving nine more bikes left at least one rider with potentially life-changing injuries. For Richardson's partner Hannah James, those horrors will have been compounded by the devastation of history repeating itself. By cruel fate, the mother of Richardson's two children had already been left grieving by the sport nine years ago. Billy Redmayne, James's previous partner, crashed fatally at Oliver's Mount Spring Cup, a road race in Scarborough in North Yorkshire. 'Everyone knows the risks – they just love it that much' During these times, a community of wives and partners who have lost riders stick together. Among those to send messages of support to James on Tuesday was Leanne Harper. James had been there for her, Harper explains, when she had lost her own partner Dan Kneen in the Isle of Man TT in 2018. 'It's just unthinkable that this has happened again for her,' Harper says. Hannah James with partner Shane Richardson, who died in a crash at Oulton Park on Monday Harper and others explain how it speaks volumes about the sport's ultra-resilient community that James rebuilt her life over the past nine years with another rider in Richardson. Nobody could have forecast such widespread devastation on Monday, however. While road racing – particularly the Isle of Man TT – is notoriously deadly, only three prior fatalities had been recorded at British Superbikes events since 1988. Investigations into the circumstances of Monday's crash, described by organisers as 'catastrophic', have been launched with police. But Harper, who set up the Dan Kneen Charitable Fund to help others facing trauma in the sport, said those who lost loved ones 'don't hate the sport'. 0705 Superbikes crash map graphic 'It happened with Hannah and Billy, but she still found love again inside the paddock so it shows that we don't hate the sport – we've got that passion for it and they are doing what they love to do,' Harper adds. 'Everyone knows the risks at the end of the day. They just love it that much. As a family member or a partner, you want them to succeed just as much as they want to succeed. It's not that we hate the sport, it's just sometimes it can end really tragically, which is the downside.' Dan Kneen, who died racing in the Isle of Man TT, with his partner Leanne Harper As James posted a poignant photograph of herself with Richardson and their two children on social media on Tuesday, the sport was shocked by the scale of the carnage the day before. With bikes capable of 200mph, falls and injuries are frequent but the 'chain-reaction incident' described by MotorSport Vision Racing (MSVR) was extremely rare. One of the race competitors Jaimie van Sikkelerus called it a 'black day for motorsport with terrible losses' but, privately, senior figures in the sport underlined that safety provisions are already as 'robust as possible'. While Briton Jenner, 21, of Rapid Honda, and New Zealander Richardson, 29, died before reaching hospital, Tom Tunstall, 47, remains in Royal Stoke University Hospital with a broken neck. An update from MSVR on Tuesday confirmed the Ducati rider 'sustained a broken bone in his neck and is currently under the care of a team of specialists' in a serious but stable condition. A 'slow but hopefully full recovery is expected', MSVR added. A further five riders – Carl Harris, Max Morgan, Cameron Hall, Freddie Barnes and Morgan McLaren-Wood – were transferred to the circuit medical centre with minor injuries, which did not require transfer to hospital. Three further riders – Lewis Jones, Corey Tinker and George Edwards – were also involved but were uninjured. 'This guy became one of my closest friends' McLaren-Wood later posted: 'Struggling to find the words for what happened. Rest in peace, Shane and Owen. My heart goes out to both of their families during this heartbreaking time.' Another rider, Superbike front-runner Rory Skinner, wrote: 'Gutted is an understatement. The sport can be too cruel at times. Thoughts and condolences to everyone and their families involved in today's incident.' Tributes were paid to Owen Jenner on Monday and Tuesday - Getty Images/Alex Pantling Close friends of both Richardson and Jenner also paid tribute to the pair. The British Supersport rider Cameron Dawson posted about Jenner: 'I don't know where to start with this,' he wrote. 'I'm speechless. Today I lost a brother, our journey started off when I was going through a rough patch and this guy came into my life and became one of my closest friends I've ever had.' Motorcycling New Zealand president Michael McLeod added of Richardson that the sport had lost a 'mentor to a lot of young up-and-coming riders that are now competing in Europe and England as well'. 'He had found his comfort zone' in British Supersport, McLeod said. 'He was very good at his craft.' Adrian Cox, general manager of Whites Powersport, which sponsored the Kiwi rider, joined figures in the sport in urging the public to accept that dangers are an inevitability. 'It's a dangerous sport, but there are a lot of safety elements within the sport, so you don't hear of too many people dying,' he pointed out to The New Zealand Herald. 'So when it does happen, it's still super tragic, and super painful because it doesn't happen every day – it doesn't happen every year.' The risk involved in high-speed racing on two wheels clearly plays some part in the enduring appeal of British Superbikes in otherwise safety-conscious times. TNT Sports was broadcasting the event live and it is also regularly shown across Europe, Asia and North America. The sport has to move on, and there are no indications that the deaths will lead to a cancellation of any other races in the British Superbikes series. Tickets remain on sale for the next event at Donington Park in 10 days' time. As with regular tragedies on the Isle of Man, Harper, who still works at TT events, says there will be acceptance in the sport that 'accidents happen at the end of the day'. 'It's very, very tragic on this occasion obviously, but it's the risk we take,' she adds. 'They [the riders] do enjoy living on the edge. It's the adrenalin rush and they just love it. It's very sad, but they know the risks, and so do we.'
Otago Daily Times
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Otago Daily Times
Fellow racers pay tribute to Kiwi killed in UK
Two southern motorcycling identities have paid tribute to a New Zealand rider killed in a crash in the United Kingdom yesterday. Shane Richardson died following a crash at a British Superbikes race in Cheshire. The Wellingtonian was caught up in an 11-bike pileup during a Supersport race at Oulton Park that also claimed the life of English rider Owen Jenner. Another New Zealand rider, Morgan McLaren-Wood, was involved in the crash and was treated for minor injuries. Young Southland rider Cormac Buchanan, based in Spain as he competes in the Moto3 World Championship, posted a tribute to Richardson on social media. ''Don't know what to say,'' Buchanan wrote. ''Shane Richardson was truly one of the best people I ever had the privilege of sharing the track with, not only a super talented rider but a down to earth person away from it. ''You never failed to put a smile on all of our faces. You were someone I could look up to and learn from and I am so lucky to have had your guidance in my first year in Europe in the UK. ''I'm grateful to have been able to consider you a competitor, rival and a friend. I always felt your support no matter what the situation, race or outcome was.'' Seth Devereux, the Tapanui-raised Superbikes rider now competing out of Wanaka, said he was ''speechless'' when he heard of Richardson's death. ''Shane, what a guy. It's like I've lost part of myself. ''This will take a while to work through. So grateful for our big adventure. Warts and all.'' Wainuiomata rider Richardson, who was 29, had been based in Britain since 2019. He was a previous New Zealand rider of the year. Richardson competed for the Astro-JJR Hippo Suzuki team and finished ninth in last year's British Supersport Championship. A British Superbike statement said there was a ''chain reaction incident'' involving 11 riders coming out of turn one on the first lap of the Oulton Park race. ''The race was immediately stopped and trackside medical services deployed. ''Due to the extreme severity of the incident and ongoing medical intervention, the remainder of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship event was cancelled. ''This catastrophic accident has tragically resulted in two riders being fatally injured, and another sustaining significant injuries.'' The statement said Richardson was initially treated trackside, then taken to the circuit medical centre before being transferred to Royal Stoke University Hospital with severe chest injuries. He died before he arrived. The other rider, Owen Jenner, who was 21, was initially treated trackside, then taken to the circuit medical centre, where, despite further resuscitation treatment, he died from a catastrophic head injury. British rider Tom Tunstall suffered back and abdominal injuries and a further five riders, including McLaren-Wood, were transferred to the circuit medical centre with minor injuries, which did not require transfer to hospital. Three further riders were also involved but were uninjured. — RNZ/APL
Daily Mirror
06-05-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Girlfriend of British Superbikes rider who died in Oulton Park crash suffers double tragedy
The partner of one of the motorcyclists who died at the age of 29 in a devastating 11-bike crash on Monday, sadly, lost another boyfriend to a racing tragedy nine years ago The partner of British Superbikes rider Shane Richardson, who sadly died in an 11-bike collision at Oulton Park, also lost her previous boyfriend to a separate motorcycle crash nine years ago. Tragedy struck the Cheshire circuit on Monday when one British Supersport Championship rider lost control at Turn One and was flung into the path of his fellow competitors. A pileup ensued, and as one bike caught fire, medics were quick on the scene. Sadly, two riders lost their lives: Owen Jenner, 21, and Astro-JJR Hippo Suzuki racer Mr Richardson, 29. The race was eventually abandoned. Mr Jenner was taken to the circuit medical centre and given further resuscitation treatment, but died from a "catastrophic head injury", the organisers said. He became the 2024 British GP2 champion and was signed to Rapid Honda. Mr Richardson died of severe chest injuries whilst being taken to Royal Stoke University Hospital, having been treated trackside. The New Zealander leaves behind two children and his girlfriend, Hannah James, a former grid girl. In an agonising twist, Ms James has lost a partner previously to a separate race accident, reports the Mail. In 2016, at the Oliver's Mount Spring Cup, rider Billy Redmayne suffered an accident on track in North Yorkshire and was airlifted to hospital. However, he later passed away, surrounded by family and loved ones, including Ms James, who was dating the rider at the time of his death at the age of 25. The incident at Old Hall corner on the first lap of the British Supersport Championship on Monday, which claimed the life of Mr Richardson, now marks the second time in the space of 10 years that Ms James has heartbreakingly lost a boyfriend to the sport. A third rider, Tom Tunstall, 47, sustained "significant injuries" near the village of Little Budworth, and, alongside his two competitors, was treated on track before being transferred to Royal Stoke University Hospital with "significant back and abdominal injuries". Morgan McLaren-Wood was another rider involved in the incident. He was one of five riders who escaped with minor injuries, including Carl Harris, Max Morgan, Cameron Hall, and Freddie Barnes. After the collision, he took to social media to convey his emotions. "Struggling to find the words for what happened today," posted Mr McLaren-Wood. "Rest in peace, Shane and Owen. My heart goes out to both of their families during this heartbreaking time." After the incident, the Motorcycle Circuit Racing Control Board and MotorSport Vision Racing released a statement, which read: "At the start of this afternoon's Quattro Group British Supersport Championship race at Oulton Park, exiting turn one, Old Hall corner on the first lap, there was a chain reaction incident involving 11 riders falling. "The race was immediately stopped, and trackside medical services deployed. Due to the extreme severity of the incident and ongoing medical intervention, the remainder of the Bennetts British Superbike Championship event was cancelled. "This catastrophic accident has tragically resulted in two riders being fatally injured and another sustaining significant injuries. The Motorcycle Circuit Racing Control Board and MotorSport Vision Racing are investigating the full circumstances of the incident in conjunction with the Coroner and Cheshire Constabulary." Cheshire Constabulary also released their own statement, as a spokesperson stated: "Police are investigating two deaths on behalf of the coroner following a multiple collision at Oulton Park - Monday 5 May. "Emergency services were called to the scene following the collision, which resulted in two riders being fatally injured and another with serious injuries. "Due to the severity of the incident and ongoing medical intervention, the remainder of the event was cancelled. The two riders who sadly died have been named as Owen Jenner (21) and Shane Richardson (29). "The Motorcycle Circuit Racing Control Board and MotorSport Vision Racing are investigating the full circumstances of the incident in conjunction with the Coroner and Cheshire Police."
Express Tribune
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- Express Tribune
Fatal crash at Oulton Park: Cheshire Police confirm inquiry after two riders die
Two riders died following a multi-bike crash during the British Supersport Championship race at Oulton Park on Monday, marking a tragic start to the 2025 British Superbike season. British rider Owen Jenner, 21, and New Zealander Shane Richardson, 29, were fatally injured in a crash involving 11 riders on the opening lap of the third race of the weekend. The incident occurred as the field exited turn one, prompting an immediate red flag and subsequent cancellation of the event. Motorsport Vision Racing (MSVR), which oversees circuit operations at Oulton Park, described the crash as a 'major chain reaction' incident. Series director Stuart Higgs called it 'severe and catastrophic.' In a statement, MSVR confirmed that Jenner succumbed to a catastrophic head injury at the circuit medical centre after being treated trackside. Richardson died en route to Royal Stoke University Hospital due to severe chest trauma. A third rider, 47-year-old Tom Tunstall, sustained significant back and abdominal injuries and remains hospitalized. Richardson was riding for Astro-JJR Hippo Suzuki and Jenner for Rapid Honda. Both were considered rising talents in the sport. Cheshire Police confirmed they are investigating the two fatalities on behalf of the coroner, following a 'multiple collision' at Oulton Park. 'Emergency services were called to the scene following the collision, which resulted in two riders being fatally injured and another with serious injuries,' the statement read. Due to the severity of the crash and continued medical intervention, the remainder of the event was cancelled. The Motorcycle Circuit Racing Control Board and MSVR are conducting a joint investigation with the Coroner and Cheshire Constabulary. Several other riders, including Carl Harris, Cameron Hall, and Max Morgan, sustained minor injuries and were treated on site. Riders Lewis Jones, Corey Tinker, and George Edwards were involved but unhurt.
Daily Mirror
06-05-2025
- Automotive
- Daily Mirror
'Fantastic' Oulton Park rider's best pal and on-track rival died aged just 28 two years ago
Shane Richardson has passed away at the age of 29 following a catastrophic crash at Oulton Park on Monday, two years after his close friend Damon Rees died at just 28 Shane Richardson, who sadly passed away in the horrific crash at Oulton Park, had already experienced tragedy in motorsport before his untimely death. Richardson, 29, passed away from severe chest injuries sustained in the 11-bike crash at the British Supersport Championship race on Monday. The New Zealander, who raced for the Astro-JJR Hippo Suzuki team, died on the way to Royal Stoke University Hospital. British rider Owen Jenner, 21, also sadly lost his life due to a catastrophic head injury, while Tom Tunstall, a a 47-year-old rider, remains in hospital with significant back and abdominal injuries. The crash is being investigated by the Motorcycle Racing Control Board, the Coroner and Cheshire Constabulary and tributes have poured in for the two riders who lost their lives. Richardson was a popular figure in the sport and had moved to the United Kingdom from New Zealand back in 2019. He leaves behind his British wife Hannah and their two young children, Max and Maddie. The tragedy is the second to befall Kiwi riders in the past two years following the unexpected death of Damon Rees at the age of 28 in July 2023. Rees was a close friend and on-track rival of Richardson, with their two families well known in New Zealand motorbike racing circles. The two met while competing against each other for the national 600cc title in their home country before both moving to the UK to pursue their racing careers. Rees, who came from a family of motorbike racers, died suddenly two years ago. His team, the Carl Cox Motorsport with Uggly & Co by Binch Racing squad, described him as an "infectious personality" with a "wicked sense of humour". Alongside competing in the Supersport Championship, Richardson worked as a test rider for Triumph Motorcycles in Leicestershire and ran his a joinery business called Kiwicraft. Writing on social media, fellow Kiwi rider Cormac Buchanan paid tribute by writing: "Truly one of the best people I ever had the privilege of sharing the track with, not only a super talented rider but a down-to-earth person away from it. 'You never failed to put a smile on all of our faces. You were someone I could look up to and learn from, and I am so lucky to have had your guidance in my first year in Europe in the UK. "I cherish all of the track walks with you and Damo (Rees), the hard battles we had, bumping bars and swapping paint. I'm grateful to have been able to consider you a competitor, a rival, and a friend. 'I always felt your support no matter what the situation, race, or outcome was. To Hannah, Max, and Maddie, I send you all of my love, support, and condolences. I will always be riding with you; thank you for everything, Shane.' Andy McGechan, editor of the website, told The 'A fantastic young man, a lovely personality… his smile was infectious. "He was so quiet and modest, a smiley, friendly face around the pits but on the racetrack an absolute firebrand, fast and furious, not a risk-taker as such but he had the skills. The contrast between on track and off track was so marked.'
