A RIDER who achieved four top ten finishes in the Manx Grand Prix has been killed at a race in the Czech Republic.

Irish racer Adrian McFarland from Plumbridge, near Omagh in Co Tyrone, crashed in a superbike race close to the the town of Hradec Kralove on Saturday.

He was a regular competitor in the Manx Grand Prix and he also won silver and bronze replicas at the TT in the late 1990s. 

The news of his death travelled quickly around the Manx Grand Prix paddock at the end of Saturday’s newcomers races and has come as a big shock to fellow competitors.

David McCallister, secretary for the Motorcycle Union of Ireland (Ulster Centre), said, "During his racing career he never had any major incidents or accidents.

“He was a seasoned campaigner and always finished in the top half dozen racers. The Ulster Centre wishes to express its sincere sympathy to Adrian's entire family and circle of friends."

The Belfast Telegraph described the married 41-year-old father-of-two, as “one of Ulster's leading competitors.”

"His death has come as a big shock," said a former sponsor, Mark McCausland, said he was always proud to have the motorcyclist riding his bikes.

"He was a safe driver and in all the times that he rode for me, he has only fallen off once," said Mr McCausland. "I was proud every time that he rode my bikes."

Former incident officer with the Motorcycle Union of Ireland, Tony Harvey, said: "He was always a fairly fast, yet safe rider. His death is a great loss to the boys he was racing alongside."