MOTOR-CYCLE racer Colin Gable died during the opening day of practice for this year's Isle of Man TT races.

The 28-year-old design engineer from Leicestershire crashed heavily during Monday evening's session on the Ballagery section of the 37.73 miles Mountain Course. He was the 169th competitor to die in the 90-year history of the event.

Gable was riding a 750cc Honda. An investigation into the cause of the crash is underway but a senior official of the event said machine problems were suspected.

Gable was an experienced rider in the Isle of Man, having won the Senior Newcomers race at the Manx Grand Prix in 1987 and finished third in the 1995 Supersport 600 TT. The actual races begin on Saturday.