Thousands line the streets for Simoncelli

CORIANO, Italy — Thousands of fans filled the streets of Coriano in central Italy on Thursday to pay their final respects to MotoGP rider Marco Simoncelli, whose funeral took place at the Church of Santa Maria Assunta.
The 24-year-old Simoncelli died of chest, head and neck injuries after he lost control of his Honda during Sunday's Malaysian Grand Prix.
Simoncelli's funeral was attended by his friends and family - his father, Paolo, his mother, Rossella, his sister, Martina - as well as stars of the sport, such as Valentino Rossi, Mattia Pasini, Jorge Lorenzo and Randy De Puniet.
"The night before your last race you said you wanted to win the Grand Prix, because there on the podium everyone could see you better," Bishop of Rimini, Francesco Lambiasi said. "Now it pains us not to be able to see you, but it gives us peace and so much joy to know that we are being looked down on by you from the highest podium of them all.
"I also want to sign the banner that says 'Marco, teach the angels to do wheelies'."
The hearse arrived at the church in the afternoon and was greeted with applause from thousands of people who had been gathering in the square outside the church since the morning. The square also was filled with balloons and banners bearing Simoncelli's number, 58.
Beside Simoncelli's coffin at the altar were two motorcycles - one that he rode to win the 250cc championship in 2008 and another used this season.
The funeral was broadcast live on big screens outside the church on various Italian TV stations and to more than 10,000 people gathered at the nearby Misano Adriatico circuit.
At the end of the service, seven-time world champion Valentino Rossi revved the engine of Simoncelli's Honda and then wheeled it out as a tribute to his close friend, to the sound of Vasco Rossi's "Siamo solo noi" - Simoncelli's favorite song.
Simoncelli was a rising star in the sport who, with his trademark mop of curly hair, was beloved by Italy's legions of motorcycle racing fans.
More than 10,000 fans had lined up in the rain Wednesday for a public viewing of his coffin in the city theater of his hometown.

 

marco simoncelli morto

http://marcosimoncellidead.blogspot.com/

MotoGP Star Dies in Crash Marco Simoncelli Dead

A week after Indycar racer Dan Wheldon died at the Las Vegas Indy 300, the racing world mourns the loss of another talented racer. Marco Simoncelli died today during the penultimate race of the 2011 MotoGP season in Malaysia.
Simoncelli’s fatal crash occurred just four minutes into the race. The Gresini Honda racer lost control of his motorcycle and swerved from the outside of the track to the inside, hitting the pavement in front of Valentino Rossi and Colin Edwards. The two MotoGP riders could not avoid Super Sic.
All About Bikes reports that Simoncelli lost his helmet in the crash and suffered serious injuries as Edwards and Rossi crashed into him. The race was red-flagged and subsequently cancelled as emergency workers rushed Simoncelli to the infield medical center, but first responders could not resuscitate the Honda racer.
 

Italian rider Simoncelli killed in crash at Sepang circuit

 
SEPANG: The world of motorsports was rocked when Italian MotoGP rider Marco Simoncelli was killed following a horrific crash at the Shell Advance Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix here.
The 24-year-old Gresini Honda team rider's machine veered across the track on the second lap of the race that started at 4pm yesterday and into the path of his compatriot Valentino Rossi of Ducati and American Colin Edwards of Yamaha.
It is the first fatal crash at the Sepang International Circuit since it opened in 1999.

Grim scene: Simoncelli lying motionless on the ground after the crash at the Sepang International Circuit yesterday. — Reuters

Simoncelli, very much a rising star after enjoying his finest hour at Sepang when he finished third to clinch the 2008 season's 250cc title, had his helmet knocked off in the crash.
Rossi was able to ride away slowly to the pits while Edwards later got up and walked away but Simoncelli lay motionless on the track as his father Paolo and girlfriend Kate watched in horror from the garage.
The race was immediately red-flagged and later cancelled by the organiser Sepang International Circuit so that medical staff could continue to focus completely on treating the Italian in the medical centre.
The mop-haired and scruffy Simoncelli succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at the on-track medical centre at 4.56pm.
This last week has been a nightmare for motorsports.
The fatal crash comes just a week after IndyCar racing driver Dan Wheldon died in a 15-car crash in Las Vegas and 2010 MotoGP champion Jorge Lorenzo crashed during warm-ups in Australia, severing a finger that was later surgically re-attached.
After Simoncelli's crash, restless fans were upset with the lengthy delay and threw water bottles and other debris onto the track.

Honda MotoGP rider Marco Simoncelli of Italy (in white) falling before being hit by Yamaha’s Colin Edwards of the United States (in black) and Ducati’s Valentino Rossi of Italy (right) at the Malaysian MotoGP in Sepang yesterday.

 

His tragic death was not made known to the packed crowd at that time as his family had to be officially informed first.
News of his death was also beamed on various international news channels including CNN.
The Italian Olympic Committee said it would honour the racer by requesting a minute's silence at yesterday's Serie A football matches.
MotoGP medical director Michele Macchiagodena confirmed Simoncelli's death, saying he died due to chest, head and neck injuries.
“He was already unconscious when the medical staff arrived within minutes. We immediately brought him to the medical centre and gave him CPR but failed to revive him. He died 45 minutes later at 4.56pm,” he said.
Race director Paul Butler said the MotoGP paddock expressed grief and sympathies for the rider's family, friends and team.
“Circumstances surrounding the incident will be thoroughly investigated by the concerned parties,” he said.
Simoncelli had claimed his best-ever MotoGP finish of a second placing last weekend at Phillip Island, Australia.
This year was Simoncelli's second MotoGP season and he had signed to remain with Gresini Honda next year.
During his grand prix career, which began in 2002, Simoncelli won 14 times 12 in the 250cc class and twice in 125cc.
His death is the first in the premier class since another Gresini rider, Daijiro Kato, was killed at the 2003 Japanese Grand Prix.
Although there is a final race in Spain still to come, Australia's Casey Stoner has already secured the 2011 championship with his win last weekend in Australia, garnering a total of 325 points.

Simoncelli was tied with Rossi in sixth spot with 139 points.

2011 10 23.Crash:Marco Simoncelli dead.

'All his father could do was hug me': Team-mate consoles family who watched in horror as motorcyclist is killed during Malaysian Moto GP

-Rider lost control of his bike before he appeared to be hit by Colin Edwards and then Valentino Rossi


By Daily Mail Reporter


Italian motorcyclist Marco Simoncelli died in a horrific crash at yesterday's MotoGP race in Malaysia, in full view of his devastated family and girlfriend.

The 24-year-old was flung from his bike and skidded across the track, before apparently being hit by competitors Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi.

His mother Rossella, father Paolo and girlfriend Kate watched in horror as Simoncelli's bike was smashed to pieces after his dramatic loss of control in the second lap.

They wept in shock as the unconscious rider was taken to the medical centre at the track in Sepang for treatment, but his injuries to the chest, head and neck were too serious for him to be saved.

Simoncelli's fellow Honda rider Dani Pedrosa, who had fallen out with Simoncelli earlier in the season, said: 'I've been with his father and all we could do was to hug, nothing else matters.

'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.'

He 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.'

The rider's girlfriend, Kate looked ashen-faced and she walked through the deserted MotoGP garages.

Fans were also spotted huddled near the track sobbing over the rider's death. He had only moved up to MotoGP level last year.

The fatal accident comes just a week after British IndyCar racing driver Dan Wheldon died after crashing in Las Vegas.

Organisers cancelled the race soon after Simoncelli's accident and said in a bulletin reported on website Autosport: 'Race cancelled as the medical centre staff is focusing on treating Marco Simoncelli and track action cannot be resumed in the current circumstances.'

The rider was given CPR in the ambulance which continued for 45 minutes but Simoncelli was declared dead at 4.56pm local time.

Devastation: Simonelli's mother Rossella is comforted outside the medical centre after her son's fatal crash

Agony: Marco Simoncelli's father is comforted as he waits outside a medical centre where the rider was taken following a crash at the Malaysian Grand Prix

Deadly: The rider (No 58) is seen sliding from his bike and colliding with two other riders in a horrifying crash

Empty: Simoncelli's girlfriend Kate walks through an empty Honda garage after the shocking accident

Yesterday tributes were posted on Twitter in memory of the talented rider.

British Formula One driver Jenson Button wrote on his account: 'R.I.P Marco... Such an exciting talent lost. My thoughts are with his family, friends and everyone involved in MotoGP. Motorsport can be so cruel...'

And Button's Formula One teammate Lewis Hamilton wrote: 'My thoughts are with his family, friends and team at this extremely sad time. Another tragic loss at such an early age.'

Newly-crowned MotoGP champion Casey Stoner said: 'I'm so shocked and saddened by the loss of Marco. When things like this happen it reminds you how precious life is.

The Australian told BBC2: 'As soon as I saw the footage it just makes you sick inside. Whenever the helmet comes off, that's not a good sign.'

Tragedy: Simoncelli (centre) takes the first corner on his second lap moment before the fatal crash at the Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix


Crew members of the Honda team of Marco Simoncelli of Italy console each other as they gather outside a medical centre where the rider was taken following a crash at the Malaysian Grand Prix

A message on the MotoGP website read: 'Marco Simoncelli succumbed to injuries sustained in Malaysia.'

Simoncelli's compatriot and Repsol Honda rider Andrea Dovizioso said: '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.'

Moment of horror: Simoncelli loses control and is seen coming off the bike

Disaster: Simoncelli fatally falls off of his Honda after colliding into Colin Edwards

Fall: Edwards spins off the track along with Simoncelli's bike as the 24-year-old Italian devastatingly lies motionless

Race marshalls attend to Honda rider Simoncelli (C) following his fatal crash just four minutes after the start of the Malaysian MotoGP race

Devastated: Colin Edwards of the US who was involved in the crash stands at the side of the track after the fatal crash

The last death in MotoGP came at the 2003 Japanese Grand Prix, when Japan's Daijiro Katoh died from his injuries.

Medical director at Clinica Mobile Dr Michele Macchiagodena said at a press conference yesterday that U.S. rider Edwards had suffered a dislocated shoulder in the crash but it had been reset and he was 'fine'.

When asked about Simoncelli's helmet coming off, race director Paul Butler said at the press conference: 'I think if I may reply, that will be for another occasion. Quite clearly the consequences and circumstances surrounding the accident will be thoroughly investigated.'

Australian Formula One driver Mark Webber wrote on Twitter: 'R.I.P Marco A special talent that will be missed... Thinking of your loved ones, and all the motogp paddock..mark.'

British MotoGP rider 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.'

Tribute: Driver Lewis Hamilton described Simoncelli's death as 'another tragic loss', coming just a week after IndyCar driver Dan Wheldon was killed in a racing accident

Inconsolable: Stunned fans wept after the brutal accident killed the MotoGP star

Just after the accident, Tony Elias, Moto2 world champion, had spoken of his prayers that Simoncelli's injuries were not serious.

'We just hope Marco is OK - that's my wish,' he said.

Last week British IndyCar racing driver Dan Wheldon died after he was catapulted helplessly into the air in a 225mph smash before landing on a barrier and suffering fatal head injuries.

Just days earlier the father-of-two joined a number of other drivers in expressing the fears over the speed of cars and overcrowding on the oval-shaped track.

But in a blog post, he had promised fans he would go out to win and put on a show of 'pure entertainment'.

Grief: Simonelli's spare motorcycle sits in an empty garage after the race was abandoned one lap in after his sudden death









source:dailymail