An inquest opens today (Wednesday) into the death of an Austrian motorcyclist.

Forty-seven-year-old Martin Loicht suffered fatal injuries in a crash at Quarry Bends during last Thursday's Supersport TT Race 2.

He was married with two children and was a Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the Institute of Technology in Vienna.

In a tribute from the Auto Cycle Union, the organisation's technical director Paul King said: 'I got to know Martin really well by working with him on the TT Zero project as he was developing a bike to compete in that race.

He was a real character who was passionate and committed to motorcycling and he reflected the amateur spirit and endeavour that pervades the TT.'

Martin Loicht had competed in the TT before, although the last time was in the 1990s.

He had also raced on the Billown circuit in the Southern 100.

The inquest will open at Douglas courthouse at 2pm, before the coroner, Alastair Montgomerie.