An elite motocross rider has died following a crash at a speedway in Adelaide.
Joel Evans was involved in a crash at a track near Port Adelaide on Sunday and later died in hospital.
“He used to joke about not wanting to get old, now he never has to,” his sister posted online.
“Joel was doing what he loved and was in one of the happiest eras of his life, but that doesn’t make saying goodbye any easier.”
Motocross clubs around the world have posted condolences online, as have parents whose children were trained by Mr Evans in his home state of Queensland.
A message has been posted to his official Facebook page, which has 27,000 followers, which said the 30-year-old was expecting to become a father.
“Yesterday we lost the most incredible person on this earth. The most authentic, loved and kind hearted soul,” the message reads.
“He loved and devoted his life to this sport which brought him so much joy and he rode it out right till the end. We are so grateful for the outpouring of love and support for our beautiful man.
“He is such a loved partner, uncle, brother, friend and son but most proudly a father to our adored little boy who is joining us in October.”
The message asks for Mr Evans’ legacy to be remembered.
The incident happened at the Gillman Speedway in Adelaide’s northern suburbs on Sunday afternoon.
Mr Evans was riding in the elite division of a ProMX Championship event.
Organisers called off the event following the crash.
Mr Evans’ sister, Renae, said her family had been “changed forever”.
“What do you say when you have no words? Yesterday our lives changed forever,” she wrote.
Her sibling was the “best brother a girl could ask for, and an even greater uncle for my girls”, she said.
“We love you so much buddy. More than you’ll ever understand. Ride. In. Peace #81.
“And for those reading. Hug your loved ones extra today, and please don’t ever take your time for granted.
“Tomorrow isn’t promised for any of us.”
