Sadly, autumn does not only bring the end of the MotoGP season, but the rememberance of Marco Simoncelli, killed in a tragic accident during the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang, October 23rd 2011.
Marco "Super Sic"Simoncelli was 24 at the time of the accident, and was one of the very talented riders of whom a successful career was expected. At Sepang, it was Valentino Rossi and Colin Edwards who crashed into Simoncelli, after his bike suddenly veered in front of them, making it impossible for the two to avoid the impact.
Sic's helmet flew from his head, and he received multiple severe injuries to the head, neck and chest. Despite the medical team efforts and 45 minute CPR, Sic was declared dead at 16:56 local time, according to Michele Macchiagodena, MotoGP Race Direction Medical Director.
Simoncelli's death was the first fatality in MotoGp since the demise of Japanese rider Daijiro Katoh, who lost his life after a crash in the 2003 Japanese GP.
A fortnight prior to the sad commemoration, Valentino Rossi, a good friend of Sic's, carried a #58 flag in the cooldown lap at Sepang, with the 80,000-strong audience applauding in emotional recognition.
Fausto Gresini and members of Sic's former team, accompanied by Repsol Honda's Livio Suppo and Dorna Sports’ CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta placed flowers at Turn 11, the place of the fatal crash.
Motorcyclists from other places in the world gathered in memorial parades in the Sepang GP weekend to remember Super Sic. The parade at the Brno GP circuit saw a record attendance of 2,988 riders.
You will be dearly missed and remembered, Sic!
Sic's helmet flew from his head, and he received multiple severe injuries to the head, neck and chest. Despite the medical team efforts and 45 minute CPR, Sic was declared dead at 16:56 local time, according to Michele Macchiagodena, MotoGP Race Direction Medical Director.
Simoncelli's death was the first fatality in MotoGp since the demise of Japanese rider Daijiro Katoh, who lost his life after a crash in the 2003 Japanese GP.
A fortnight prior to the sad commemoration, Valentino Rossi, a good friend of Sic's, carried a #58 flag in the cooldown lap at Sepang, with the 80,000-strong audience applauding in emotional recognition.
Fausto Gresini and members of Sic's former team, accompanied by Repsol Honda's Livio Suppo and Dorna Sports’ CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta placed flowers at Turn 11, the place of the fatal crash.
Motorcyclists from other places in the world gathered in memorial parades in the Sepang GP weekend to remember Super Sic. The parade at the Brno GP circuit saw a record attendance of 2,988 riders.
You will be dearly missed and remembered, Sic!