Spanish motorcycle racer Borja Gomez, 20, has died following a crash during a testing session at the Magny-Cours circuit in France.
The former Moto2 rider from San Javier, Murcia, was leading the European Superstock Championship when the fatal accident occurred.
Gomez crashed alone during the pre-event test for this weekend's JuniorGP round but was subsequently struck by another rider after falling.
The incident happened during the opening free practice session of the championship's third round.
Borja Gomez has died at the age of 20 after a motorcycle crash
The young rider had arrived at Magny-Cours as the series leader, having secured second place at Estoril and victory at Jerez earlier this season.
Gomez had competed in 15 Moto2 grands prix during the 2022 and 2023 seasons, achieving a best finish of 16th at the Austrian Grand Prix in 2023.
He was also leading the RFME-sanctioned European Superbike Championship aboard a Honda CBR1000RR-R, having won four of the first six races.
The Spanish rider had taken on a testing role with Honda's World Superbike project this year.
He participated in European pre-season tests alongside Tetsuta Nagashima as part of Honda's official test team.
Additionally, Gomez had competed in four WorldSSP rounds across 2021 and 2024, earning points for 12th-place finishes at both Cremona and Aragon last year on a Kawasaki ZX-6R.
Team Honda Laglisse confirmed Gomez's death in a statement: "With all the pain in our hearts, we regret to announce that Borja Gomez has passed away at the Magny-Cours circuit after a serious accident in the first Free Practice of the European Stock Championship."
"Beyond his exceptional talent as a pilot, we will remember Borja as the great person he was.
"His kindness and smile will last forever. We will always carry him in our hearts."
"On behalf of the whole Team Laglisse, we want to pass on our condolences to all his family and friends in these hard times that they are going through. We love you, Borja. Rest in peace."
Gomez's racing career began in Spanish Supermoto before progressing to the Kawasaki Cup in 2019. He later competed in the Supersport Championship within the Spanish Superbike Championship, finishing second in 2021.
Tributes have poured in for Borja Gomez after his tragic death
In 2022, he secured runner-up position in the Spanish Superbike Championship with the Cardoso Team.
This success led to a contract with Fantic Racing for the 2023 Moto2 World Championship, where he participated in 13 grands prix.
His 2024 season had shown exceptional promise, with the rider competing in both the FIM Stock European Championship and undertaking testing duties for Team HRC in World Superbike competition.
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