NEW ZEALAND championship motorbike rider Damon Rees has passed away aged 28 after a sudden medical condition.
His wife, Talia Rees, had earlier posted a update on his health as she described him “critical but stable” and hailed him as a “warrior” while stating he was “doing an incredible job at fighting this battle.”
Now she has confirmed that he has passed away and says that he is “now my guardian angel”.
Confirming the sad news in a post on social media, she wrote: “I am heartbroken. I love you Damon Rees – you are now my guardian angel.”
Rees competed for two seasons in the National Superstock 1000 Championship after opting to leave New Zealand at the start of 2020.
The ex-NZ Supersport champion finished eighth in his rookie season and earned his maiden podiums.
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He then joined Ashcourt Racing alongside Northern Ireland British Supersport rider Lee Johnston to ride a BMW S1000RR the following campaign.
Rees stayed with them during the next season but switched to the Supersport class on a Yamaha R6.
The ace moved to the Carl Cox Motorsport with Uggly & Co by Binch Racing team on a Yamaha in the Supersport series for this season.
A Binch Racing statement read: “It is with a very heavy heart that we confirm Damo passed away last night.
“Despite putting up a fight and battling as hard as he could, he was just too poorly.
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“Damo meant so much to us all at Binch Racing. We are all absolutely devastated.
“His passion for motorcycle racing was there for all to see but Damo was more to us than just a racer, he was our friend.
“His dedicated approach to everything he wanted to do, his infectious personality and his wicked sense of humour made his time with us truly unforgettable.
“We wish to send our condolences, love and support to his amazing wife Talia, all the Rees family and everyone who had the pleasure of knowing him back in his native New Zealand.”
A British Superbike Championship statement read: ““Our thoughts are with the family, friends and team of Damon Rees this morning.
“He was a popular rider within the paddock since joining the series and he will be sadly missed after losing his fight with an unexpected medical condition.”
Rees finished 10th in the British Supersport Feature race at Knockhill in Scotland on June 18 after taking eighth in the Sprint encounter a day previously in his final race.
Source: Motorsport - thesun.co.uk
