Tributes paid to "one in a million" motorcycle rider

Tributes have been paid to a “one in a million” motorcycle rider who died in a race in Belgium.

Clive Ling, 53, was killed when he came off his bike at the Chimay street circuit in Wallonia.

Mr Ling lived in Hardwick, near Long Stratton, with his wife Donna, who was at the circuit when he died on July 28.

A multi-talented sportsman, Mr Ling was a cyclist, motorcyclist, runner and swimmer, regularly taking part in duathlons and triathlons. He was also a parish councillor.

Mrs Ling, who has asked mourners at his funeral to wear something blue – it was his favourite colour – said this week: “Clive was a wonderful person, always happy to help anyone he could. He always had time for people and was always smiling.

“He was a true craftsman and could make anything out of metal after decades of working at Complete Fabrications. Whatever he made, it had to be perfect.”

She said he first raced when he was 19 and, after he “got the bug” again, raced as often as possible.

He was offered so many bikes to ride that his favourite saying for the past year had been ‘I’m living the dream’.

“We hardly had a free weekend during the racing season,” said Mrs Ling. “I, on the other hand, would spend the weekend biting my nails and looking forward to the journey home.

“Clive was one in a million and was thought very highly of by so many people from far and wide. He is missed terribly and always will be.”

Richard Bensley, owner of Competition Fabrications in Attleborough, where Mr Ling was a sheet metal worker, described him as “just a great chap”.

“I have worked with him since I was a schoolboy and we had a great time together,” he said. “He was a highly-skilled man – very good at his job. He worked on some of the top-end racing cars and bikes.”

Mr Ling belonged to the Classic Motorcycle Racing Club, which released a statement saying: “Clive was a truly valued member, a great racer and an incredible friend to many in the race paddock. He will be sadly missed.”

Mr Ling lived in Hardwick for most of his life and had been a parish councillor for 12 years.

Council clerk Josephine Murgatroyd said: “He was a very valued member. Among his many contributions to the parish was a distinctive metal noticeboard that he designed and made. Being Clive, it was very well made.

“He was very thorough in all that he did. We shall have that legacy of him.”

Sean Cole, from Diss Cycling Club, where Mr Ling was a member, said: “Whatever he did, he gave 100 per cent to it,” he said.

A funeral service will be held in St Mary’s Church, Shelton, on September 11 at 12.30pm.