Dutch Motorcycle star Victor Steeman has died at age 22, days after he was involved in a devastating racing accident.
The young sports star - who competed in the Supersport 300 World Championship - was involved in a "multi-rider incident" during the opening lap at the Portugal-based event on Saturday, October 8.
During the race, Steeman lost his balance on one of the track’s final turns and flew off of his bike. He was then airlifted to a hospital in critical condition by medical officials as he suffered polytrauma and a head injury, per the motorcycle organization's website.
On Tuesday (October 12), the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) announced that the motorcyclist died from his sustained injuries.
Steeman's family shared a statement after his death, per the New York Post, writing: "Something you have always been afraid of as a parent of a motorcycle racer has now happened," continuing, "Our Victor could not win this last race."
"We would like to thank everyone for the way you have lived with us over the past few days. We will miss our Victor enormously," they wrote, adding that Steeman saved five other people through organ donation.
The racer - who was the second-ranked rider in the organization’s WorldSSP300 championship - had recorded four wins and five podiums so far across the season and was still in the hunt to be crowned world champion.
A host of tributes have poured in on social media for the racer, who represented Kawasaki, in the wake of the tragic news of his death.
"Victor was a hero to all of us at Kawasaki," Kawasaki race planning manager Steve Guttridge said on their website. "He had achieved much in his racing journey already, even at such a young age."
"We express our deepest sympathies to his friends and family, and of course all of his supporters and the crew of his MTM team, at this sad time,” they added.
WorldSBK shared a touching tribute on Twitter, writing: "We’re deeply saddened to report the loss of WorldSSP300 rider Victor Steeman."
"The WorldSBK family would like to send all our love to his family, team, and loved ones. A great personality, a fierce racer, and a legacy left embedded in our paddock forever," they said, adding, "Ride in Peace, Victor."
MotoGP official page added: "It's with great sadness that we have learned about the passing of WorldSSP 300 rider Victor Steeman."
"All within the MotoGP family send our condolences to the family, friends, and team of Victor at this difficult time Ride in Peace, Victor," they added.
The racer's untimely death marks the second passing within the motorbike community in just a few days, after the passing of Chrissy Rouse aged 26.
The Superbike rider died on October 6 from injuries sustained in a crash at Donington Park in England four days previously. Officials have opened an investigation into the wreck.
Our thoughts are with Steeman's family, friends, and fans at this time.
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