Moto GP up and comer Marco Simoncelli has died in a horrific accident at the Malaysian round of the Moto GP. The Gresini Honda rider who rode a factory Honda Moto GP bike is the first fatality in the sport since 2003.
Simoncelli was caught in a freak accident when, on lap two, his bike got loose and dragged him across the circuit into the path of Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi. The force of the accident ripped the helmet from Simoncelli’s head. He had been riding at the front for most of the 2011 season but had yet to record his first Moto GP win. His bravado had secured him a factory Honda bike again for the 2012 season. Simoncelli will be sorely missed and EFTM joins the rest of the motorsports world in mourning both him and Dan Wheldon.
Autosport’s Matt Beer has written up a fantastic look back at Simoncelli’s career which is well worth a read.
RIP Marco Simoncelli.
