Republic of Ireland rider James Walsh has died after an accident at the Tandragee 100 motorcycle road race on Saturday.

Walsh crashed in the Senior Support race, which was then stopped by a red flag.

He was treated on-site before being taken to hospital by air ambulance.

The Cork rider had won the Junior Support race on Saturday before his fatal accident.

The North Armagh Motorcycle & Car Club (Tarmac Section) Ltd, which organises the Tandragee 100, confirmed Walsh’s death with “profound sadness”.

“We are completely heartbroken by this tragic loss, and our entire club is mourning a truly valued member of our racing community,” the statement said.

“Road racing is a sport built on shared passion and tight bonds, which makes a loss like this resonate deeply with every rider, official, and fan.

“Our thoughts, prayers, and deepest sympathies are with his [partner] Claire, his mum Geraldine, the rest of his family, friends, and his own club members during this incredibly devastating time.

“We want to express our immense gratitude to the MCUI UC [Motorcycle Union of Ireland, Ulster Centre] Medical Team, the air ambulance crew, and the medical staff who fought so hard to save him.”

After a delay of two hours as medics attended to Walsh, an attempt to restart the Senior Support race took place, but it was stopped by a second red flag.

Walsh is the first rider to die after an accident at the Tandragee 100 since Italy’s Dario Cecconi was involved in a crash in 2017.

He is the second rider to lose his life in an accident at a road race in Northern Ireland this year after Czech Republic rider Kamil Holan died in an incident at Station Corner at the North West 200 in May.

At the Isle of Man TT road race in May, England’s Daniel Ingham was killed in a crash in qualifying in June.