Isle of Man TT: Further tributes to 'bright star' Daley Mathison

Daley Mathison was married with a young daughter

A road racer killed in the Isle of Man TT's opening race has been described as a "bright star" who was "taken too young".

Daley Mathison, of Stockton-on-Tees, crashed at Snugborough, near Union Mills, in Monday's Superbike race.

A spokesman for the German Penz13.com team said the 27-year-old was "an amazing person who greatly enriched our team. He will be sadly missed".

He had started 19 TT races and achieved three podium finishes.

Mathison was a regular at the North West 200 and a former Ulster Grand Prix winner, having claimed victory in the 2014 Ultra-lightweight race.

The English racer enjoyed great success in the TT Zero class

He was due to represent the University of Nottingham's E-Racing Team this year.

A university spokesman described Daley as "an expert rider" and staff had been left "shocked and saddened".

Zef Eisenberg, of the MADMAX Race Team, was sponsoring the rider at this year's TT and said he had been "thrilled" that Mathison was taking part.

"He was by far one of the most likeable, friendly and positive racers you'd ever meet," he said.

"This year he remarked how much smoother, faster and relaxed he felt during practise. Unfortunately the Isle of Man TT is not forgiving in the event of any mishaps.

"My heart and thoughts are with his wife, family, daughter and those who loved him."

Daley Mathison had finished on the TT podium on three occasions

Mathison died following a crash on his third lap of the four-lap Superbike race opener.

Peter Hickman was declared the winner of Monday's race after it was stopped following the fatality.

A spokesman for the Armoy Motorcycle Road Racing Club said: "Daley was a bright star taken much too young."

His wife earlier paid her own tribute, and said her husband was "now sleeping with the fairies".