Manx Grand Prix 2026: Two Riders Die Within 24 Hours

• Mauro Poncini (29) from Switzerland died on Tuesday evening after an incident at Cruickshanks in Ramsey
• Sam Naughton (37) from the Isle of Man was fatally injured at Doran’s Bend on Wednesday afternoon
• Italian rider Salvatore Sallustro remained in a critical condition after several operations

The first four days of the Manx Grand Prix 2026 have been shaped by serious crashes and poor weather. An event that traditionally opens the Snaefell Mountain Course to amateurs and newcomers has turned within a few days into one of the hardest weeks in the recent history of the race. Barely any of the scheduled qualifying sessions has been completed in full so far. Two riders have lost their lives, a third is in hospital with serious injuries.

How did the Manx Grand Prix 2026 begin?

The opening day on Sunday already ended early. The first timed session for the Sportbike and Junior MGP classes was red-flagged after a few minutes because Italian rider Salvatore Sallustro, carrying number 18, had crashed at Greeba Bridge. According to the organisers this happened on his first lap. Sallustro was treated at the scene and then flown by air ambulance to Noble’s Hospital in Douglas.

After that the weather ruled out any further running. The clerk of the course cancelled the rest of the day because conditions around the circuit deteriorated rapidly. On Monday the entire evening programme was lost. The roads around large parts of the course were wet, and more rain was forecast for the evening. Two days in, the entrants had effectively covered no practice mileage at all.

What happened near Ramsey on Tuesday evening?

On the evening of Tuesday 18 August, a serious incident occurred on the first lap of the second timed session. The Senior MGP and Supersport MGP classes were on track, and the incident took place in the Cruickshanks section near Ramsey, just before the road climbs towards the mountain section.

Two competitors were involved. Race control immediately red-flagged the session and later abandoned it altogether. One rider succumbed to his injuries, the second was taken to Noble’s Hospital with minor injuries. The official statement from the organisers read: „It is with profound sadness that the Manx Grand Prix Races confirms that one competitor sustained fatal injuries.“ The organisers also announced a multi-agency investigation, which is standard procedure in incidents of this kind.

The name of the rider who died was initially withheld. Those affected had asked for privacy.

Who was Mauro Poncini?

Mauro Poncini was a 29-year-old road racer from Caslano in the Swiss canton of Ticino. The Swiss motorcycling federation Swiss Moto released his name on Wednesday, and shortly afterwards the organisers confirmed his identity as well.

Poncini was competing in his first year at the Manx Grand Prix for the Northern Irish Scott Racing team and was riding a Yamaha R6. It was his debut on the Mountain Course. He had previously gained experience in the Supersport and Supertwin classes and at several other road races. The organisers described him as an experienced entrant and offered their condolences to his father Florio, his mother Manuela, his sister Marzia and his girlfriend Sharon.

The Swiss federation paid tribute to him as a rider with an exceptional heart who was popular among his rivals. Its statement said: „He lived his passion wholeheartedly, with courage and absolute dedication.“

How did Sam Naughton lose his life?

Only a day later a local rider was killed. Sam Naughton, 37 years old and from Castletown on the Isle of Man, was fatally injured at Doran’s Bend in the western part of the course on Wednesday afternoon. The incident happened during the third qualifying session of the event.

Naughton had made his Manx Grand Prix debut in 2025 and was competing for the second time this year. Since taking up racing in 2020 he had been a regular starter at road races. The organisers offered their condolences to his wife Charlotte and his children Bonnie, Liam, Jesse and Parker.

The Andreas Racing Association, where Naughton completed his race school in 2020, called him a committed and respected road racer. The club described how he had developed from a newcomer into a fixture of the scene, and recalled his dream of riding the Mountain Course, which he fulfilled in 2025. In the racing community he was known as one of the „Southern Boys“, a close-knit group of riders.

Why do the organisers only speak of an incident?

Because the cause of Tuesday’s crash has not yet been established. The official statement expressly refers to an incident involving two competitors, not to a collision between the two machines.

The distinction matters. As long as the multi-agency investigation is under way, it cannot be said whether the two motorcycles actually made contact or whether events unfolded differently. The organisers announced that further information would be released in due course.

What is Salvatore Sallustro’s condition?

Critical. The Italian hill climb champion of Europe was initially treated at Noble’s Hospital after his crash on Sunday and was later transferred to Aintree Hospital in Liverpool. There he underwent several operations for multiple broken bones. As of Wednesday his condition was still described as critical.

His transfer to Liverpool was confirmed by his partner Tabita Piu. The organisers issued no further official updates on his condition after the initial report on Sunday. His crash and Tuesday’s fatal incident are unrelated.

How does the Manx Grand Prix 2026 continue?

The programme continues, although with a heavily revised schedule. After Tuesday’s crash the clerk of the course used a contingency session on Wednesday afternoon for the first time, because there had been almost no running on the two preceding evenings. Wednesday’s evening programme was then lost to forecast heavy showers.

Two timed sessions are planned for Thursday 20 August. The afternoon contingency window will be used again for that. The roads around the Snaefell Mountain Course were due to close at 12:30, with all Manx Grand Prix and Classic TT classes then getting the chance to set timed laps. The roads were due to reopen by 16:30 at the latest, with the next closure at 18:00 for a further practice block before the course finally reopens by 21:00.

What sets the Manx Grand Prix apart from the TT?

The Manx Grand Prix uses the same course as the Tourist Trophy but is an event in its own right. Racing takes place over the 37.73-mile Snaefell Mountain Course, around 60.7 kilometres of public road.

The TT traditionally runs in May and June and is the showcase for the professionals. The Manx Grand Prix takes place in August and is aimed above all at amateurs and newcomers gaining their first experience on the Mountain Course. The Classic TT for historic motorcycles runs alongside it. Both events share a schedule, road closures and organisation, which is why cancellations in one part of the programme have an immediate effect on the other.

➜ This article is part of our comprehensive overview: Isle of Man TT 2026: The Complete Overview – Schedule, Riders, Teams & Results. Find all key information on this topic in one place.

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