Oulton Park: Owen Jenner and Shane Richardson ‘will never be forgotten’ – John McGuinness

McGuinness is preparing to compete at the North West 200 road race in Northern Ireland, and says the paddock is “certainly more sombre” after Monday’s accident.

A number of riders who were competing at Oulton Park, both in the Supersport class and on other bikes, will race this week on the Triangle Circuit, which comprises 8.9 miles of closed public roads.

McGuinness says it is “tricky” having to prepare to compete just days after two riders have lost their lives and that “nobody never said to stop racing, we’ve just got to find a way to make it safer”.

The 53-year-old reiterated that riders who were involved or witnessed the accident will receive support if they need it.

“There’s going to be people there who will have nightmares about that for a long time, sometimes they need an arm put around them, said McGuinness.

“I still have nightmares now about things I’ve seen on tracks over the years.

“I still ask them to look after me, you know. I’m not a religious person or anything but I ask the boys and ladies that aren’t with us any more to look after me.

“It’s a bit of weird thing but it’s a superstition I’ve got.”

Peter Hickman, who is a winner in the British Superbike Championship, North West 200 and Isle of Man TT, said the crash was “tragic”.

“It’s difficult for people who are not in this sport and haven’t been around it for a very long time to understand how we can all just move on,” said Hickman.

“As riders, it’s something that we already accept as a risk before we enter.

“It can be quite difficult for everyone – everyone does it in a different way. We’re looking forward to the North West 200.

“We’ve got to clear it out of our minds as riders and ride in their memory. If that’s something we can do, that’s something we will do.”