This is the shocking moment when a teenage racer is thrown over the handlebars of his motorbike to his death during a motocross competition in Brazil.

The tragic incident in Itabirinha, Minas Gerais state, south-eastern Brazil on 4th September claimed the life of 18-year-old Douglas Nunes Andretta.

Douglas had travelled from his home in Colatina, Espirito Santo state, south-eastern Brazil to take part in a leg of the Copa Norte de Motocross cup.

He was one of more than 100 riders taking part in the competition.

Harrowing footage filmed by a spectator shows how he flew over a ramp at the very start of the race and was launched over the handlebars of his bike.

He landed on the track with a thud, sending his motorbike somersaulting and a cloud of dust into the air.

The footage ends with another racer visibly in distress as he bent over his fallen fellow competitor and others nearby rushed to his aid.

Douglas was tended to by onsite medics, but he tragically succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

His body was taken for an autopsy while police cordoned off the accident site.

His cause of death was preliminarily given as a skull fracture and a spinal cord injury.

In a statement, the Municipality of Itabirinha said: “It is with deep regret that the Municipality of Itabirinha is mourning the accident that occurred during one of the races of the 3rd Stage of the Copa Norte de Motocross that unfortunately led to the death of racer Douglas Nunes Andreatta, 18 years old, from Colatina, Espirito Santo.

“The Municipality has decreed a three-day official mourning period and is providing all assistance to the family. We express our sincere condolences. May God comfort all the family members.”