No concerns about Ago's Leap highlighted by TT riders before fatal crash

Inquest into death of French rider César Chanal continues

Riders at last year’s TT had not raised any concerns about the road surface at Ago’s Leap before, or after, a fatal crash which claimed the lives of two French competitors.

That’s what the inquest into the death of sidecar racer César Chanal heard today (16 February).

The 32-year-old Frenchman died at the scene, near Ago’s Leap, on 4 June last year during the first sidecar race – his passenger Olivier Lavorel, who was seriously injured, died in hospital in October.

At Douglas Courthouse Coroner of Inquests Jayne Hughes reconvened proceedings into his death telling members of both families who had attended: “No-one in this courtroom is on trial today.”

Footage of the crash - which was filmed by spectators – was played to the court; evidence was also heard from a marshal and an off-duty paramedic who rushed to the scene.

Fellow racer, and the most successful sidecar competitor in history, Dave Molyneux also gave evidence telling the court he was unaware of any issues being raised by riders about Ago’s Leap.

The 17-time TT winner said recent resurfacing work on the stretch of road meant it was ‘driving better than it had for many years’ adding the profile of the road and racing line were unchanged.

Mr Molyneux, who assists newcomers, said riders freely discussed issues about the course but Ago’s Leap was not highlighted in conversations he’d had or heard about.

“The area they crashed in was running fine,” he said - adding that the improvements had made the road surface ‘less bumpy’ on the exit.

“In my opinion it was better, it was a smoother ride,” he said. “I was as shocked as anybody. The track conditions were good.”

When asked whether it was a difficult part of the TT Course Mr Molyneux, who has competed since 1985, told the coroner: “I haven’t experienced any difficulties there in my time of riding.”

A second fatal accident, which happened in the same area of the course in the second sidecar race, was also raised by the Coroner of Inquests – something Mr Molyneux described as ‘coincidental’.

Clerk of the Course Gary Thompson also gave evidence today telling the court he too had received no complaints from solo or sidecar riders: “At no point did Ago’s Leap get mentioned to me,” he said.

“The feedback, generally, was that Ago’s Leap was the best it had been. I received no adverse feedback at all - this is very tragic.”

The inquest has now been adjourned until tomorrow when the Coroner of Inquests will hear more evidence about the resurfacing work before recording a verdict into Mr Chanal’s death.