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| Italian rider, Marco Simoncelli succumbed to his injuries after having involved in a nasty crash at the Sepang circuit for the Malaysian MotoGP |
The incident which occurred within the early laps of the race saw
Marco get critically injured as a result of which the race was instantly red-flagged and
later cancelled, when his condition was told to be extremely critical. Soon afterwards at
4.56pm local time it was announced that Simoncelli died of the injuries suffered in the
crash. Early reports say that Simoncelli lost the front-end on his bike which
dismounted him from the saddle and threw on the right side of the motorcycle while both
the wheels regained traction as a result of which the bike steered to extreme right ending
up right in the path of Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi coming from behind. While both
of them hit Simoncelli, impact from Edwards’s bike led a severe blow to
Marco’s back and spine and in the process Simoncelli’s helmet also came off,
leaving his head exposed to further injuries. In the crash, Colin Edwards suffered an
injured shoulder while Rossi was pushed out of the track but managed to stay on
two-wheels.
One of the most promising stars on the current MotoGP grid, Marco
Simoncelli was the only Honda privateer (riding for the Gresini Team) to be handed a works
Honda machinery. Believed to be a future world champion, Marco Simoncelli’s death
has shocked the motorcycle racing community and the MotoGP paddock as the community mourns
the loss of such an amazingly talented young rider who had a bright future with multiple
world championships coming his way.
This was Marco Simoncelli’s second season in MotoGP and
always the one to shoot from the hip – he was a favourite amongst the media and the
fans likewise. His riding style which was often questioned for being too aggressive was
the secret to his ever-growing fan-base the world over. Simoncelli took his first ever
MotoGP podium at the Czech MotoGP and then finished in second place at the recently held
Australian Grand Prix at Philip Island.
It’s a great loss to the sport. ZigWheels stands by his
family and friends. Godspeed Marco #58. Rest in peace.
TRIBUTES to SIMO By fellow riders and teammates:
Rossi tweeted: "Sic for me was like a youngest brother. so strong on
track and so sweet in the normal life.I will miss him a lot."
Shuhei Nakamoto, HRC Executive Vice President: "I just don't know what
to say, words escape me. Marco was a very nice guy and a very talented rider. Sometimes I
was a little harsh with him, for example after his first MotoGP podium in Brno when I told
him: 'Lucky podium!' and he was so angry... but I wanted to motivate him as I knew he was
able to do even more. I was thinking that when he won his first race we would have been
able to celebrate together... Now I just want to say thank you to Marco, for what you gave
me and pass my sincere condolences to his family and this very sad time."
Stoner: "I'm so shocked and saddened by the loss of Marco. When things
like this happen it reminds you how precious life is, it makes me feel sick inside. All I
can say is how sorry I am for Marco's whole family I can't imagine what they are all going
through and our thoughts and wishes are with them at this time. I hope they all stay close
and pull through this tragedy together,"
Team-mate Dani Pedrosa added: "In a tragedy like this there is
not much to say. I just want to give my condolences to his family and all the people who
love him. I've been with his father and all we could do was to hug, nothing else matters.
It was a fatal accident and everybody in the paddock remains in shock. Many times we
ourselves forget how dangerous this sport can be and when you lose people on the way
nothing has any meaning. It's clear that we all do what we like, what we love, but on days
like today nothing matters."
Fellow Italian Andrea
Dovizioso said: "In these circumstances, words don’t seem to be
appropriate. I think of Marco’s family and all the people dear to him, in particular
his father and mother. I also have a child and what happened today is the hardest
situation you can imagine. I watched the images and I’m shocked: in a race you fight
and push hard and disaster is often around the corner. Marco was a strong rider and he
always pushed hard. We raced together since we were kids, I saw him always pushing to the
maximum, he crashed many times, but without major injuries, he was seemed invincible. What
happened today seems impossible."
Hector Barbera added: "I am in shock. We are bike
riders and we are aware that there are risks involved with what we do, but we also know
that every day our safety is looked after more and more by the organisers. These past few
years have seen a huge amount of work done to try and make our job even safer. Despite
this, there are moments in which misfortune can lead to tragedy -and we saw this happen
today with Marco Simoncelli. Today is another tough day for motorcycle racing. We have
lost a great companion, and I will remember Marco as a great rival with whom had some
fantastic battles in the past."
Jorge Lorenzo Tweeted: "On a day like this I don't know
what to say. Marco, rest in peace."
Ben Spies Tweeted
simply: "Super Sic rest easy"
Nicky Hayden Tweeted:
"Sometimes life just don't make sense... RIP #58 your were a star on & off track we
all going to miss you…"
Cal Crutchlow Tweeted:
"RIP Marco Simoncelli ! A great rider and all round nice guy. My thoughts are with all his
family & friends. I will never forget today … #58."
Former
team-mate and World Supersport Champion Chaz Davies: "I was fortunate
enough to be team mate to Marco in 2002. He was a genuinely fun guy and taught me my first
unrepeatable Italian!"
The Marlboro Ducati team issued
this statement: "Ducati, its team and its riders are deeply affected by the tragedy that
struck the MotoGP world today, and they gather around the family, friends and team of
Marco Simoncelli, who lost his life in a terrible accident during the Malaysian Grand
Prix.
"We will always remember Marco for his smile, his enthusiasm, his
big heart and for the incredible emotions he allowed us to experience in recent years. He
was one of us."
Tech3 Monster Yamaha said: "The Monster
Yamaha Tech 3 Team and Tech 3 Racing Moto2 team extends its deepest condolences to the
family, friends, and colleagues of Marco Simoncelli, who succumbed to injuries he received
in this afternoon's Malaysian Grand Prix.
"Monster Yamaha Tech 3 rider
Colin Edwards was involved in the second lap incident and he suffered a
dislocated left shoulder. The American has left the Sepang International Circuit to begin
his recovery at home in America and his thoughts and prayers are with Simoncelli and the
Gresini Honda family.
"RIP Super Sic - A much-loved star on and off
the track."
Rizla Suzuki said: "All at Rizla Suzuki are
deeply affected by today’s tragic events and send their deepest condolences to
Marco’s family and friends during this time of great loss. R.I.P Marco Simoncelli,
20 January 1987 – 23 October 2011. A true competitor."
Aspar team
boss Jorge Martínez 'Aspar': "What has happened today is immensely
sad. It should be said that every Friday before a Grand Prix, the Safety Commission
convenes at 5pm with all the MotoGP riders to evaluate safety issues at all Grand Prix
circuits. Marco lost the front end and attempted to save the crash, but unfortunately the
inertia of the bike took him onto the inside of the corner just when Edwards and Valentino
were passing. There was nothing that they could do to avoid him. Today is a tremendously
sad day for the entire paddock and for those who love motorcycle racing."
Taka Horio, general manager Bridgestone Motorsport Department, said:
“Today we are left devastated. Our thoughts and prayers are with Marco’s
family at this terrible, terrible time, and with his team. Words can do no justice to the
emotion we are all feeling.
"The MotoGP family has lost one of its
bright stars, a genuine character whose larger-than-life persona, charisma and unstoppable
spirit were infectious, and we’ve all lost a great friend. We worked closely with
Marco for his first two years in MotoGP and it was clear that he was a true racer,
something he proved again and again this season.
"Determined to the end,
and a great showman. His ascent through the field in just two seasons has been fantastic
to watch, testament to his raw talent, ability and dedication to the sport he so loved. We
remember fondly the tenacity and spirit with which he raced, and he will be sorely, sorely
missed.”
Give your tribute to Marco 'SuperSic' Simoncelli here:" with the following link
- http://www.motogp.com/en/contact/tributetosimoncelli
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