French sidecar driver Olivier Lavorel has died from critical injuries sustained at the Isle of Man TT four months ago - it has been confirmed.
Lavorel was involved in the fatal crash at the opening sidecar race of the 2022 TT in June. His driver Cesar Chanel was killed at the scene after an accident that occurred on Ago's Leap, just one mile into the course.
There was an initial case of mistaken identity when reports suggested Lavorel had passed away at the scene, and TT officials had to clarify in their statement that it was in fact Chanel that had died in the June 4 crash.
Lavorel had been taken to hospital with serious injuries, but it has now been confirmed by official Sidecar TT media partner '3 Wheeling' that he did not survive the accident and has also passed away.
"It is of great sadness that we have learned that French sidecar passenger Olivier Lavorel has lost his battle and has passed away last night," 3 Wheeling's tribute on Facebook read.
"Brave Olivier succumbed to his injuries suffered in race 1 of the 2022 TT. He joins his great friend & driver Cesar Chanel who didn’t survive the accident. We send our thoughts & condolences to both families."
Lavorel has now become the sixth competitor to have tragically died at the TT in 2022 after Chanel's death. Solo drivers Mark Purslow and Davy Morgan and father-and-son Roger and Bradley Stockton also passed away in accidents this year.
A TT statement read: “The Isle of Man TT Races is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Sidecar competitor, Olivier Lavorel, from Sillingy, France. Olivier sustained serious injuries in an incident during the opening lap of the first Sidecar Race of the 2022 Isle of Man TT Races on the Saturday 4 June.
It continued: “Both Olivier and Cesar were newcomers to the Isle of Man TT Races in 2022 but were an experienced pairing, taking numerous victories and podiums in the French F1 and F2 National Sidecar Championships.
“Everyone at the Isle of Man TT Races passes on their deepest sympathy to Olivier’s family, friends and loved ones at this tragic time.”
