A motocross champion has tragically died competing in the event he heroically won last year with a broken hand.
Australian Daymon Stokie suffered fatal injuries after coming off his motorbike during the Deep Well Enduro Race in Alice Springs on Saturday.
Tributes have poured in for the 28-year-old local, who won his home event last year despite having the badly injured limb.
A motocross champion has tragically died competing in the event he heroically won last year with a broken hand
Australian Daymon Stokie suffered fatal injuries after coming off his motorbike during the Deep Well Enduro Race in Alice Springs on Saturday
Tributes have poured in for the 28-year-old local, who won his home event last year despite having a fractured hand
The two-day, 452 kilometre race spans large stretches of the harsh Australian outback and finishing in the remote Aboriginal town of Finke.
More than 650 riders and drivers from around the world attend the even every year.
Stokie, who became the first local rider to win the Finke Desert Race in 11 years, came off his bike during the event and was treated by emergency staff.
He was unable to be revived and died at the scene.
Stokie, who became the first local rider to win the Finke Desert Race in 11 years, came off his bike during the event and was treated by emergency staff. He died at the scene
Australian Daymon Stokie suffered fatal injuries after coming off his motorbike during the Deep Well Enduro Race in Alice Springs on Saturday
Tributes have poured in online for the fallen 28-year-old, who was described by fellow rider Kadin Guard as a ‘great racer but an even better person’
Tributes have poured in online for the fallen 28-year-old, who was described by fellow rider Kadin Guard as a ‘great racer but an even better person’.
‘I’m grateful to have had the chance to know Daymon and watch him conquer some big races. Everyday in the shop, at the races or just at home, he was always a positive energy that we all loved having around,’ Guard posted to Facebook.
‘One of a kind and I know he’ll be deeply missed by many but always remember (sic) for his big and energetic smile!’
Toby Price, a past winner of the Finke event and the Dakar Rally, bemoaned the dangers of competing in the enduro events.
‘It’s sometimes the sh***est sport in the world with news like this, but in one way you truly went out on top, winning everything here in Aust and overseas man,’ he posted to social media.
‘Many thoughts are with family and friends and we will see you one day mate – start building some sweet tracks up there and we will shred again.’