Marco Simoncelli 1987-2011

Just as the Dan Wheldon post from last week my thoughts of the late Marco Simoncelli, I didn't expect to write one of these within a week to be honest. It has bad week for motorsport in general. For now, my thoughts of the late Marco Simoncelli.

Marco Simoncelli was competing in Sundays, round 17 of the MotoGP World Championship, the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang. On lap 2, Simoncelli was fighting for fourth with Alvaro Bautista when he lost the front of his bike at turn 11 and slid across the circuit, into the path of both Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi, both of whom then hit the Honda rider. While the race was cancelled after race direction felt they could not continue while they worked to treat Simoncelli. Simoncelli lay stricken on the track after the crash, his helmet having come off during the incident. He was taken to track hospital, announced he died from these injuries at five o'clock local time, aged 24. Simocelli was the first Premier MotoGP class fatality since the late Daijiro Kato was killed at Suzuka in 2003 riding the Motogp class. First since in any MotoGP class since Moto2 rider Shoya Tomizawa death last year at Misano.



Condolences goes to Marcos family and friends, 2008 250cc World Champion for Gilera. Move up to premier class in 2010 with the San Carlo Gresini Honda team. Then getting a factory specification Honda this season bike for 2011, then for next season with a factory specification Honda without being on the works team. Pole positions at Catalunya and Assen this season, while challanging for a win at Jerez, then taking his maiden MotoGP podium at Brno, and achieving a career-best second in Australia just a week ago. Possibly in my opinion replacing Valentino Rossi as the face of MotoGP in the future and possibly a future world champion too. But for now.

Rest in Peace Marco Simoncelli, you will be much missed.

Jonathan