King of the road forever JOEY DUNLOP is dead. But his name will live on as long as people race bikes. The news will have affected everyone who has ever seen or heard of Yer Maun, but nowhere has the impact been more severe than his home town of Ballymoney, 40-odd miles from Belfast. Just hours after his death was announced by news flashes which broke into the daytime schedules on every Irish television channel, the pub which the 48-year-old owned and ran in the small market town was surrounded by wreaths, bouquets, and messages of remembrance. It was a spontaneous out-pouring of grief from a part of the world that has had its fair share of things to mourn over recent years, and showed just why Dunlop was one of the few in the province to transcend any barriers of sectarianism or politics. The sense of grief among the 8500 residents is palpable. The bar is set in a cul-de-sac, and throughout Sunday evening and every day since, the normally quiet road has seen a stream of bikes and cars pull up as people come to pay their own respects. Joey loved riding riding at the Isle of Yer Maun Some drive down the road and then drive straight back out without leaving anything. After being mesmerised by his skills at the Isle of Man, they just want to see the place where Joey spent his life. Ballymoney Mayor Bill Kennedy said: "The town is in shock. People have seen it on television and heard it on the radio, but are still asking 'is it true?' We never thought it would happen to him. "Everyone here knew Joey, from the little children who collected stickers of him up to the 80-year-old lady who would know who you meant if you said 'Joey's won again on the Island...' It's no exaggeration to say he was loved by everyone, no matter what their background." Kennedy opened a book of condolence in the council offices on Monday morning, and it already contains hundreds of messages. Ironically, the last time most townspeople saw Dunlop was at a civic reception earlier this month, arranged to celebrate his hat-trick of wins at this year's TT. He toured the area in an open-top bus, surrounded by a sea of fans. Ballymoney is at the heart of the Irish road racing scene, and several other racers live there, but it will always be known as the town put on the map by "Yer Maun's" incredible success. David Wood, a close friend and former manager, said: "You can't believe what the place is like. There is shock in the air. He was known by everyone, and for all the problems Northern Ireland has had it was people like Joey who could put a smile on anyone's face, no matter what their religion or beliefs. "There have been very few people who could do that. He really was unique. Not only was he a great sportsman, he was also a great human. The only other death I know which has caused this sort of numb feeling of disbelief was Princess Diana's." The town had honoured him with the Freedom of the Borough in 1993, the highest honour it can bestow, and recent talk had centred on converting an abandoned court house into a museum to celebrate his success. Kennedy also says he had approached sculptors to discuss having a statue erected - he had planned for Joey to unveil it. He said: "For a long time we've been looking at ways to let the world know how much the town thinks of Joey. It's just so sad that he won't be able to see it." But he added it is likely the museum and statue plans will still go ahead. The sense of grief extends well beyond the two-wheeled world and Ballymoney. In Ireland, both north and south of the border, television programmes on all channels were interrupted by the news, and the 33,000 fans at the Ulster Irish Gaelic Football final in Belfast was silenced when his death was announced during the game. Mourners gather outside Joey's pub in Ballymoney to lay flowers and remember Yer Maun One photographer at the event, Stephen Davison, said: "It was amazing. We were in the middle of this game when 30,000 people suddenly took a sharp intake of breath. The whole event changed." A race at Aghadowey in Co Londonderry was cancelled on Sunday as a mark of respect, while there was a minute's silence at Silverstone on Sunday after the British superbike races. The terrible task of telling Joey's wife Linda and their five children fell to James Archibald, father of fellow TT star Adrian Archibald. He lives just around the corner from Joey's house, and was called at home by Irish racing promoter Nutt on Sunday afternoon. Nutt is a long-time friend of Dunlop's, and had travelled with him to Tallinn in the past. He was at Silverstone when he was called with the news by Dunlop's mechanic. Archibald said: "It was one of the worst things I've ever had to do. At first we heard that he was hurt, so Linda rang Billy on his mobile. She handed the phone to me and Billy told me then that he was dead. I was stunned and Linda was devastated. The whole family is trying to take it in, and we're all trying to help them any way we can." He leaves five children, Julie the eldest, Donna, Gary, Richard and Joanne, the youngest. He is survived by two brothers and three sisters, and both his parents. Linda and his brother, fellow racer Robert, flew out to Tallinn on Monday with Honda UK's Bob McMillan to collect the body. Dunlop is expected to be buried at the Garryduff presbyterian church this week, in sight of his home. If you want to send any messages of condolence to the Dunlop family, email them to MCN at: mcn@ecm.emap.com.

Dunlop: The racer's racer

AS news of Joey Dunlop's death filtered across the world on Sunday, many of his rivals, many of his colleagues and many of the people whose lives he had touched paid tribute.

And one sentiment was echoed by everyone - he was one of the most respected and talented riders ever to climb on a motorcycle.

For some, their first reaction was to call Joey's Bar in Ballymoney to offer their sympathy to his family. For others, calling their own families and friends took priority, while others just sat in stunned silence.

Among the last of Dunlop's friends to hear the news were those at the Silverstone British superbike round. Men like Jim Moodie, Dave Jefferies and Michael Rutter, who last month were racing against The Great Man on the Island.

But many of their team bosses decided to keep the news secret until after the second race for fear of upsetting them.

Even at a time of such sorrow, many of Britain's top racers, ex-racers and team bosses were eager to talk to MCN about their respect and affection for Dunlop. This is what they said:

McCallen: "He had more talent to ride a bike than anyone else"

Fellow Ulsterman Phillip McCallen spent years battling with Dunlop on the road racing circuits of Ireland and at the Isle of Man TT. At one time he was touted as "the next Joey", but he retired from racing last year due to a back injury.

He said: "When I heard the news I was shell-shocked. I am still devastated. It's unbelievable that something like that could happen to someone like Joey.

"Racing is always a risky business, but this has to be one of the biggest losses to our sport ever.

"Joey was a legend and a hero to most bikers in the world - he was like an invincible force who just had more natural talent to ride a bike than anyone else. He was a friend as well as a rival on the track and his death is a massive loss. My wife and I have been in tears."

Fogarty: "This has to be one of the saddest moments in racing"

Carl Fogarty raced against Joey in the old Formula One championship and at the TT. The four-times WSB champ - and TT lap record holder for six years - was on the verge of tears as he said: "I'm so shocked, absolutely gutted. I can hardly talk about it.

"Joey was an absolute hero to me and words can't express how much of a loss it is. It could have happened to anyone in racing, but for it to happen to Joey... this has to be one of the saddest moments in racing."

Only last month, commenting in MCN about Dunlop's incredible TT record, Foggy said: "I hope he calls it a day soon. I don't want to see him get hurt."

Honda Britain race boss Bob McMillan said: "I've known Joey for 19 years and he has become more of a friend than a rider.

"I'm finding it very hard to deal with the truth, but I will be going over to Estonia with Linda and Robert to bring him home as soon as possible. Honda will do everything it can to help his family."

Tuxworth: "A true gent"

The boss of the Castrol Honda WSB team Neil Tuxworth was a close friend of Joey for almost 30 years, and the two spent a lot of time together at various road races in the '70s.

He said: "I have just spent two weeks working with him at the Isle of Man and it was a delight to see him win the Formula One race on one of our bikes. He was one of the last true gents left in the sport.

"He never signed a contract because everyone knew his handshake meant more. His heart and soul were completely involved in racing and Honda recognised that. No-one at Honda is going to be unaffected by this tragedy."

Simpson: "Best of all time"

Dunlop's Honda team-mate in 1998, Scotland's Ian Simpson, said: "Joey was a hero of mine since I was 10, and it was my dream to race against him. When I eventually did, my respect only grew.

"He was the best road racer of all time. It was a pleasure knowing such a gentleman and all of my sympathy goes out to his wife and children."

Jeffries: "It's not real"

Yamaha's David Jefferies, who has spent the past two years battling with Dunlop at the TT, said: "It's as if the whole thing is not real - and I can't really say a lot more than that. It's even more of a tragedy after the brilliant results he had at the TT this year.

"To see how happy he and his family were after those wins only makes the whole situation worse now. I still can't take it in."

Moodie: "It's a huge loss"

Another of Dunlop's former Honda team-mates, Jim Moodie, was racing at Silverstone when he heard the news.

He said: "It's very, very sad and a huge loss to everyone. I just hope his family can get over this and I wish them all well. May he rest in peace."

Hislop: Feared his death

Virgin Yamaha's Steve Hislop is another rider who knew Joey well after their exploits on the Island. He said: "This is the one thing no-one wanted to happen, but everyone feared would. I am so sorry for his family and his wife Linda - I just wish Joey had retired."

Rob McElnea is Hizzy's team boss but also one of Dunlop's former rivals. He said: "The guy was doing what he loved and this has been a worry in the back of people's minds for a while.

"Whenever you watched Joey your heart was in your mouth - he may have been 48, but he rode a bike like a 20-year-old to the end.

"His heart and soul were in racing - he lived for road racing. I am just so sorry it had to end like this."

And the plaudits weren't just confined to racing. Leading politicians put out statements to convey their sadness at the passing of one of the great ambassadors of motorcycle racing and Northern Ireland.

Sports Minister Kate Hoey said: "This is terribly sad news and I am shocked. Joey was a wonderful ambassador.

"I enjoyed spending time with him at the recent TT races. His victories there thrilled us all. He died doing what he really loved.

"He showed true dedication and commitment and will be deeply missed by all motorcyclists around the world. My sympathies go to his family."

Northern Ireland politicians David Trimble and Seamus Mallon made a joint statement. They said: "We were shocked and saddened by the news. Everyone in Northern Ireland, not just fans of motorsport, has followed Joey's glittering career with tremendous pride and satisfaction.

"In particular, his recent string of successes in the Isle of Man gave us all something to be proud of. He was a brilliant sportsman, a true man of the people and a wonderful ambassador for our country."

And Michael McGimpsey, Northern Ireland Minister for Culture, Arts and Leisure, said: "I am shocked and saddened to hear of the untimely death of this great Ulsterman, who I was talking to only two weeks ago.

"My thoughts are with his wife Linda and his family and my prayers go to them."

McWlliams: Had to leave the Silveratone commentary box

News of Joey Dunlop's death hit everyone who knew him hard, but one man took it particularly badly - British 500 GP rider Jeremy McWilliams.

He was supposed to be commentating for Sky TV on the British superbike round at Silverstone on Sunday, shown live on the day, but had to walk out when he heard of the tragedy. He booked a plane ticket back to Ulster to be with his family.

The 36-year-old works Aprilia rider is probably the province's best known motorcycle racer after Dunlop, and he was in tears at the news. The two were good friends.

McWilliams said: "As soon as I found out I just left the studio at the track because I couldn't speak. I just had to get outside and get some air, and think about what I'd heard. I knew I was not going to be much use commentating on a race from then on.

"I am totally devastated and lost for words. I can't really believe such a legend has gone. I feel all hollow inside and I am finding it hard to absorb. I've known other people to get killed, but I've never felt this way about another rider.

"Joey was the man. He was the one every other rider looked up to, and all the other road racers wanted to beat. Some people just wanted to be able to say 'I raced against Joey'. He was so cool, so laid-back and he did it his way, which is the way I'll remember him.

"The community over here is very small and close-knit - everyone knows everyone. It's one thing to be known by everyone, but it's another to be respected by everyone, and that's what Joey had, respect.

"I just want all of my thoughts and prayers to go to Linda and the kids."