French endurance motorcycle rider Delhalle dies after testing crash

French FIM Endurance World Championship motorcycle rider Anthony Delhalle has died after a crash during private testing at the Nogaro circuit in France on Thursday, Le Mans organizers said. He was 35.

Delhalle, a five-time endurance world champion, and the Suzuki Endurance Racing were preparing for the Le Mans 24 Hours motorcycle race in April. Thursday was the first of a scheduled two-day test.

According to FIM EWC website, Delhalle fell during the first practice session at the end of the pit straight line. Although they report he was immediately attended to by medical staff, he did not survive his injuries.

"Anthony came out straight, without reason or loss of grip," said Vincent Philippe, his teammate since 2011, according to fimewc.com. "It's incredible and inexplicable. I feel like a part of me has gone."

Delhalle joined the Junior Team Le Mans Sud Suzuki in 2006 before riding for the QERT, QMMF team, Motorcyclist Federation of Qatar. In 2011 he joined SERT, where he won all five of his championships.

"It was with great sadness and deep emotion that we learned this morning of the tragic news of the death of Anthony Delhalle," said Automobile Club de l'Ouest president Pierre Fillon in a translated statement.

"On behalf of the ACO and its collaborators, I extend my condolences to the family and friends of Anthony and to Dominique Meliand and the SERT and Suzuki team. "