Swiss rider Mauro Poncini (29) dies in a crash during Manx GP practice

On Tuesday evening, during the second qualifying session for the Senior/Supersport MGP classes, a serious collision between two riders occurred, leading to the session being immediately abandoned. Whilst one rider sustained relatively minor injuries in the collision, which were treated at Noble’s Hospital, the injuries sustained by the second rider proved fatal.

“During the first lap of the second qualifying session of the 2026 Manx Grand Prix Races, an incident involving two competitors occurred in the Cruickshanks area of Ramsey. The session was immediately halted with the red flag,” according to the organiser’s official statement.

“It is with deep sadness that we confirm that one competitor has sustained fatal injuries. In accordance with the event’s standard procedures, a multi-agency investigation is currently underway. Our thoughts are with the competitors, the families and friends of those affected, who have asked for privacy at this time.”

Der Schweizer Mauro Poncini nahm dieses Jahr erstmals am Manx GP teil

Foto: Mark Corlett

“It is with great dismay and deep sadness that we have learnt of the death of our rider Mauro Poncini. Mauro lost his life on 18 August 2026 during qualifying for the Manx Grand Prix on the Isle of Man. He was just 29 years old,” the Swiss Moto Federation announced on Wednesday.

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Poncini, who was competing in the Manx Grand Prix for the first time this year, was an experienced road racer who made a name for himself particularly in the International Road Racing Championship (IRRC). In 2024 and 2025, he finished seventh in the Supersport category. In this year’s championship, he was in fifth place ahead of the final race at Frohburg.