The Dutch rider lost control of his Kawasaki crashing into a light pole en route in Imatra. He was 30 years old
A fall in the pouring rain was fatal to Joey Den Besten. The 30-year-old Dutchman passed away after the serious injuries sustained in the accident, which occurred during the second heat of theInternational Road Racing Championship (IRRC) in Imatra, in Finland. In a sad twist of fate, the circuit is entitled to Jarno Saarinen: the Finn, who became a legend in the World Championship, died during the 1973 Italian GP, in Monza. Similar fate for Den Besten, who over the years had carved out a leading role in the Irrc championship.
the dynamics
—
The fatal accident occurred on Sunday 3 July, during the formation lap. The race had been postponed following a heavy downpour of rain, thus allowing the teams to switch to wet tyres. During the lap preceding the actual race, Den Besten lost control of his bike due to aquaplaning and went off the track on the left side of the track, crashing into a light pole. The rescue efforts were not sufficient to save the thirty-year-old Dutchman: the injuries sustained were too serious.
hero
—
Den Besten’s career has been full of top-level results in the IRRC. Two victories in the Supersport class, in 2014 and 2017. In between, in 2015 and 2016, as many second places behind Czech rider Marek Cerveny. Then the move to the Superbike class, with an excellent third place in 2021. The IRRC acknowledges: “Multiple international road race champion, the Dutch rider was a familiar and popular figure in the paddock”.
© REPRODUCTION RESERVED