( CNN ) -- The rallying world has paid tribute to promising young co-driver Gareth Roberts , who was killed during a race in Sicily on Saturday . The 24-year-old from Wales was navigating for Irish driver Craig Breen at the Targa Florio Rally , and they were sixth overall when they crashed . Breen was unhurt in the accident , but Roberts died from his injuries according to the motorsport 's official website . They won the inaugural FIA WRC Academy title last year , and were leading the Super 2000 World Rally Championship after three races . `` Our thoughts are with Gareth 's friends and family . The world of rallying has lost a true talent , '' said M-Sport , the company which built the Ford Fiesta S2000 Breen and Roberts were using in the SWRC . `` I heard the sad news from Italy . Me and Jarmo want to send our condolences and our thoughts to Gareth 's family and friends on this sad day , '' top Finnish rally driver Mikko Hirvonen wrote on networking website Twitter . This season 's WRC Academy leader Alastair Fisher said : `` I can not believe what 's happened . I 'm totally devastated . My thoughts are with Gareth 's family and of course Craig . '' Tire supplier Pirelli , who worked with Breen and Roberts last year , also offered condolences . `` Words can not express our shock and sadness , '' said the company 's motorsport director Paul Hembery . Last year , Breen acknowledged Roberts ' contribution after they sealed the WRC Academy title in November . `` He 's kept my feet on the ground this weekend , which is not an easy job . Having to leave service for the last three stages knowing there was no possibility other than to win them all was very difficult , '' Breen said . `` But he 's really kept me on the straight and narrow so it 's all credit to him . He 's the littlest Welsh wizard but the best of them for sure . ''
Rally navigator dies after crash in Italian race . Gareth Roberts was a promising navigator from Wales . His death at age of 24 brings tributes from rally world .