A YOUNG rider who was killed in yesterday's Junior Manx Grand Prix race has been described as a "great loss to the sport".

Wayne Hamilton, 20, from Portadown in Northern Ireland, died following an incident at the 13th Milestone on the approach to Kirk Michael.

Just two days earlier he had won the Newcomers A race.

In a statement released by the Manx Motor Cycle Club chairman Bill Bennett said: "Wayne was a very promising competitor who had already achieved notable success in his road racing career. 

"He had already set the meeting alight with his excellent performance in Saturday's Newcomers race and have no doubt that he would have won many races on the Isle of Man.

"He is a great loss to the sport and I would like to extend my deepest sympathy to his friends and family."

Wayne made his road racing debut at the Bush Road Races in 2009 where he won the Junior Support race setting a lap record. He also won at Mid-Antrim, Armoy and Skerries in his debut season and achieved victories in the Southern 100 Solo Founders Supertwin Race in 2010 and 2011 and was first in the Dundrod 150 Supertwin earlier this month.

He was single and his next of kin have been informed.