NETHERTON rider Josh Caygill led the tributes from local riders after tragedy struck at the British Superbikes meeting at Cadwell Park.

Benjamin Gautrey, 18, from Southport, was competing in the National Superstock 600 race on the Lincolnshire circuit and he sustained “significant and serious chest injuries” after falling on the first lap and being hit by two other riders.

Caygill, who was racing in the Silkolene British Supersport Championship races, said: “The race community is very tight knit and I think everyone was hit by the devastating news.

“Another top lad has been taken away from us far too soon, and my thoughts are with Ben’s family and friends.”

While most of the scheduled meeting was completed, Ashenhurst racer Dijon Compton said that riders in the Harley Davidson XR1200 Trophy event decided against continuing.

“We were due out after Ben’s accident and we were all sat waiting while the ambulances came,” said Compton.

“I think we all felt that there was not a great deal of point in going out in fairness.

“I don’t think any of us were in the mood and, unlike the main events, we are able to make up our own minds and it was agreed that we didn’t want to do it.”

For Compton, who lies third in the rankings and has a strong chance of winning the title with two races to go in the series, and his rivals it means that the season will be decided with a double-header at Donington Park on the weekend of September 9-11.

For Caygill it was another weekend of progress as a 23rd place finish in the first race was followed by an impressive ride in the second race when he started 27th on the grid but the MAP Triumph rider battled through for a 18th place finish.

There was no change for Holmfirth teenager Joe Irving in the SUNOCO British 125GP championship as he retained sixth place in the rankings and fourth place in the Academy Cup standings after coming home in tenth place.

And racing in the tragedy-hit National Superstock 600 race was Holmfirth’s Jonathan Lodge, who collected seven championship points with a ninth place finish.