Motorcycle racer Victor Steeman has died in hospital from injuries sustained in a crash during a championship race in Portugal.

The 22-year-old from Zevenaar was taken to hospital in Faro after suffering a serious head injury. The FIM Supersport 300 race at Portimao on Saturday was stopped immediately after the collision, which involved several riders.

WorldSBK, the governing body for the Superbike and Supersport 300 classes, confirmed late on Tuesday that he had succumbed to his injuries.

‘The WorldSBK family would like to send all our love to his family, team and loved ones,’ the organisation said in a statement.

‘Charismatic, polite and always with a sense of humour, Steeman brought success to his teams, a fierce competitive nature to the track but, above all else, pride, warmth and charm to all those within the WorldSBK paddock.’

Steeman, who rode for the MTM Kawasaki team, won four of the 15 races in his class so far this season and was in second place in the overall standings going in to the race in Portugal.

A statement from his family read: ‘Something you have always been afraid of as a parent of a motorcycle racer has now happened.

‘Our Victor could not win this last race. Despite the unbearable loss and grief, we are extremely proud to share with you that our hero, through his passing, was able to save five other people by donating his organs.’