Roads: French racer Fabrice Miguet dies after UGP crash

French road racing veteran Fabrice Miguet has died following a crash at Saturday’s Ulster Grand Prix, race organisers have confirmed. The 49-year-old was originally reported as being in a critical condition with injures that were described as ‘unsurvivable,’ and died this afternoon in Belfast.

Speaking in a statement, clerk of course Noel Johnston said that the Normandy native had become a fixture in the paddock thanks to his long career racing and his friendly nature.

“I’ve known Fabrice, or Mig as he’s known to many, for over 20 years, even before I became Clerk of the Course at the Ulster Grand Prix. He’d been racing at Dundrod for a long time, and was a big character who had become part of the fabric of the event.

“We have been in constant contact with his team and family since Saturday, both directly and via local authorities, and I am extremely saddened to know that he has succumbed to his injuries. Our thoughts are with Fabrice’s parents and the Optimark team, as well as his wider circle of family and friends as they come to terms with their loss.”

Mig first made his debut at the Isle of Man TT in 1999, becoming one of the paddocks most familiar and welcoming faces since. A motorcycle dealer back at home, he was responsible in part for the growing popularity of the sport in France and was a dedicated ambassador for it.

MCN’s road race correspondent and photographer Stephen Davison also knew the Frenchman well from over the years.

“The best words I’ve seen to describe him were from his Optimark teammate, Xavier Denis – ‘road racing has lost its French uncle.’ I met Fabrice many, many times over the years and always had a little chat. His English wasn’t great and my French was non-existent but we always managed to communicate and have a laugh and a bit of yarn about what he was doing. He sold his own labelled red wine out of the back of his van to fund his racing and I photographed him with the van full of boxes. The paddock will miss him for his smile and his wine.”

All at Motorcycle News join the wider racing fraternity in expressing our deepest condolences to Fabrice’s family, friends, team and supporters.