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Before motorsport enthusiasts could come to terms with the horrific 15-car wreck that claimed the life of Dan Wheldon at the IndyCar Series finale last Sunday, the tragic news of the death of Marco Simoncelli, an Italian Grand Prix motorcycle road racer, rocked the racing circuits.
Marco Simoncelli, 24, one of the top motocross riders in the world, was killed in a gruesome crash involving two fellow riders at a MotoGP race held at the Sepang International Circuit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Simoncelli was taken to the medical center at the Sepang circuit where he died of chest, head and neck injuries, organizers told the media.
In fourth position on lap two, Simoncelli's bike veered across the race path, his helmet came off and collided with Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi, who were just behind him. Edwards skidded and fell but managed to rise. Rossi managed to retain his balance, though his bike was forced off the track. What we see next in the video is Simoncelli laying on the track motionless. Edwards sustained a dislocated shoulder.
The race was immediately red-flagged following the accident.
Simoncelli was taken by ambulance to the circuit's medical centre but at 16:56 local time it was announced that he had died from his injuries. Later, at a press conference involving members of the MotoGP Race Direction, Medical Director Michele Macchiagodena said that Simoncelli sustained "a very serious trauma to the head, to the neck and the chest" and was administered cardiopulmonary resuscitation for 45 minutes.
"He was already unconscious when the medical team arrived," MotoGP medical director Michele Macchiagodena told The Washington Post. "We attempted to resuscitate him but failed. He died 45 minutes later."
Reports are that the Italian rider lost control of his bike when he was coming out of a right-hand bend at the Sepang circuit. He appeared to have lost his balance as he drifted back across into the middle of track, which led him into the path of Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi. Both riders hit Simoncelli, whose helmet got knocked off during the collision.
"Simoncelli was transported by ambulance to the circuit medical centre where the medical staff worked to resuscitate him," a MotoGP statement said. "Despite their efforts, Marco sadly succumbed to his injuries at 4:56pm local time.
Reports are that the Italian rider lost control of his bike when he was coming out of a right-hand bend at the Sepang circuit. He appeared to have lost his balance as he drifted back across into the middle of track, which led him into the path of Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi. Both riders hit Simoncelli, whose helmet got knocked off during the collision.
"Simoncelli was transported by ambulance to the circuit medical centre where the medical staff worked to resuscitate him," a MotoGP statement said. "Despite their efforts, Marco sadly succumbed to his injuries at 4:56pm local time.
Simoncelli, was regarded an aggressive rider who was involved in a collision just five months ago.
During the French Grand Prix at Le Mans, Simoncelli collided with Dani Pedrosa while they were battling for second. In the resulting crass, Pedrosa broke his collarbone and Simoncelli received a ride-through penalty, eventually finishing fifth. Simoncelli initially rejected blame for the crash, claiming he braked no later than normal, and that he left Pedrosa room. Before the next race, however, he accepted that he needed to reflect on his riding style.
"Everybody involved in MotoGP extends its deepest condolences to Marco's family, friends and team at this tragic loss."
It was Simoncelli second season competing in Moto GP for the Honda team. He came eighth in the overall standings in his debut campaign in 2010, according to ESPN, which also reported that Simoncelli's death is the first fatality in MotoGP since Daijiro Katoh died as a result of injuries he received in the Japanese MotoGP in 2003.
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