Bikers Club

Motorsport can be a cruel, unforgiving bitch and that’s been proved two times too many recently. Firstly, Dan Wheldon in Vegas. And now Marco Simoncelli’s shining light has been extinguished way before its time. We lost another good guy.

On the second lap of Sunday’s Malaysian Grand Prix, Marco was involved in a very heavy crash with Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi, themselves having a battle for seventh. He received immediate medical attention, but succumbed to his injuries 45minutes later.

World Champion in both 125cc and 250cc categories, Marco took the step to MotoGP for the 2010 season with the San Carlo Honda Gresini team. In that first season, he found his feet and this year, having earned himself a factory machine, quickly established himself as a frontrunner. Setting pole at Catalunya and again at Assen, seven front-row starts, and two podiums with third at Brno and second just last weekend at Phillip Island, his results were just starting to mirror his true potential.

Having recently re-signed for 2012 with Fausto Gresini’s outfit and secured himself a factory Honda machine again, it was only a matter of time until his first race win. Very few doubted that.

Often controversial on-track, he was a true racer who added more than a splash of colour to the MotoGP paddock with his flair, laconic attitude off-track and fierce determination on it. He was never one to back down from a battle, and it’s no surprise that some of the most exciting races this year centred around him.

“Today we are left devastated. Our thoughts and prayers are with Marco’s family at this terrible, terrible time, and with his team” said Taka Horio, General Manager, Bridgestone Motorsport Department. “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.”

Motorsport would benefit from more characters cut from the same cloth as Marco and his passing leaves a huge hole in the MotoGP family and in hearts and minds the world over, not least those of his family. It leaves us feeling hollow. So young, so talented, surely destined for greatness. Way before his time.

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