A NORTH-EAST motorcyclist pulled out of a race just one lap before it claimed the life of legendary biker Joey Dunlop.

Last night, Ray Hutchinson's wife, Valerie, described how her husband, in common with many other British riders, was cutting short his trip to Estonia, where the ill-fated superbike race took place.

Mr Hutchinson, of Barton, near Darlington, was up against the Northern Irish ace in yesterday's race at Tallinn, in the former Soviet republic.

Five-times Formula One motorbike champion Mr Dunlop, who was awarded the MBE for racing achievements and also the OBE for charity work, was killed when his machine hit a tree.

Mrs Hutchinson said: "Ray had pulled out on the first lap and as far as I am aware Joey was killed on the second.

"The weather conditions were not good and I could tell from the tone of his voice when Ray called me that there was something wrong."

Tributes poured in last night for father-of-five Mr Dunlop, who notched up 26 wins at the Isle of Man TT.

Motorcycling broadcaster and writer Harold Crooks, who knew Mr Dunlop for 30 years, said: "Joey Dunlop was possibly the world's greatest motorbike rider of all time.

"He was also a terrific ambassador for Northern Ireland and one of the greatest gentlemen you could meet."

Mr Dunlop was said to have been deeply affected by the tragic death of his best friend, Andy McMenemy, three weeks ago, just after the final TT win, and pulled out of several races.

But he was taking part in the Estonia event as a sort of "racing holiday".

Yesterday, he had won the 750cc superbike race and was racing in the 125cc event when he crashed.