Marco Simoncelli dies in MotoGP crash

[Liam]

Italian rider Marco Simoncelli has died after a horrific crash at the Malaysian MotoGP in Sepang.

The race was stopped after four minutes when Simoncelli's bike veered across the track at turn 11 into the path of Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi.

The 24-year-old had his helmet knocked off and was hit by both other riders.

American rider Edwards also fell but escaped serious injury - while fellow Italian Rossi was able to return to the pits.

At first officials were looking to restart the race before the extent of Simoncelli's injuries became clear.

Honda rider Simoncelli first entered MotoGP for the 2010 season and won his first pole position at the Catalunya race in June this year.

Simoncelli's first podium finish came in the Czech Republic in August when he finished third but he bettered that with a second-place finish at the Australian GP.

World champion Casey Stoner said: "As soon as I saw the footage it just makes you sick inside. Whenever the helmet comes off that's not a good sign."

The Italian started in the 125cc class in 2002 and moved up to the 250cc class in 2006.

He claimed the 250cc world title in 2008.

Another motor racing related death. RIP

EDIT: Saw the crash. Awful.

Edited October 23, 2011 by Liam

[Bobfoc]

Terrible news. I'm not a huge MotoGP fan, but I dip into it from time to time, so I was familiar with Simoncelli. Such a horrible thing to happen at any time, but especially after Wheldon's accident last weekend.

[IAceI]

Gutted. Asked my dad to put the Rugby on instead of the MotoGP and I'm glad now as I wouldn't have wanted to see that.

RIP Marco

[ChrisSteeleAteMyHamster]

The video is pretty rough. Rossi just crashes right into his helmet, shattering it and then Simoncelli is sliding across the track on his face, all muscles totally unmoving. Horrible.

Video spoilered.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQRXw1ppsm0

[LUKIE]

Horrible. Absolutely horrible. His rear tyre re-gripped, so instead of just sliding away, it dragged him back across in front of the other riders.

Just heart breaking. He was favourite rider.

[Cymbols]

My God, that is horrible. R.I.P. mate.

[Lineker]

I'm glad that that video has been taken down. Sounds awful. A tragic loss.

[IAceI]

Yeah it was pretty gruesome viewing. Surprised I decided to watch it, but I was intrigued. I'm surprised he didn't die immediately if I'm honest. Poor fella. He was quite a character as well.

[Plubby]

He is basically sliding down the track, belly-down, feet first...unmoving. It was horrific and unnerving.

Two in a week on the track, and an offroad racer too during the week. What the actual fuck, racing gods?

[Katsuya]

Ugh. I still don't know really what to say about this, other than RIP. Just absolutely horrific. I'm hardly a fan of MotoGP, I'll watch it when it's on, but this year Simoncelli really stood out to me and he was the one I wanted to see doing well. For this to happen is just such a tragedy. Last year it was Tomizawa who I was supporting, this year Marco.