Tragedy mars Pedrosa win

Pedrosa: winner on tragic day

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Dani Pedrosa led from start to finish as he claimed victory at the San Marino MotoGP, but the win was utterly overshadowed by the death of Japanese rider Shoya Tomizawa in the Moto2 class.

The 19-year-old died from injuries sustained after coming off his Suter bike and being hit by Italian Alex De Angelis and British rider Scott Redding.

Tomizawa fell after coming out of a corner fractionally late whilst under pressure from De Angelis.

With no time to react, both De Angelis and British rider Scott Redding then hit Tomizawa at full speed as the Japanese rider laid prone on the track.

De Angelis and Redding were subsequently thrown from their bikes following the horrific collision, although fortunately neither sustained serious injury.

Tomizawa was immediately rushed to the circuit's medical centre and from there taken to a nearby hospital in Riccione, but he was pronounced dead on arrival with injuries to his skull, chest and abdomen.

His death is the first in MotoGP since compatriot Dajiro Kato was killed at Suzuka in 2003.

The Moto2 race continued after the crash with Spaniard Toni Elias chalking up his fourth consecutive win.

Despite the concerns over Tomizawa's crash, the MotoGP race went ahead and it was polesitter Pedrosa who emerged triumphant.

Pedrosa dominant

The Spaniard made no mistake from the start to build a commanding lead over Jorge Lorenzo who had to fight back past Casey Stoner after getting away slowly.

Lorenzo eventually established himself behind Pedrosa, but a terrific battle developed for third with Valentino Rossi getting the better of Stoner.

The Italian went on to claim the third and final podium place, while the Australian was subsequently passed by Andrea Dovizioso as he finished in fifth.

Ben Spies, Colin Edwards, Alvaro Bautista, Hector Barbera, Marco Melandri rounded out the top ten.

However, a sombre Pedrosa was in no mood to celebrate after his success, telling the BBC: "It feels so strange, there is a big hole inside me.

"I was so happy and then I was told and this big hole opened up inside me."

Rossi added: "When it happens like this nothing else matters. I saw the crash on TV and it was terrifying.

"I thought he was dead. I am very sorry but then we had to race and try and concentrate. Shoya was a very funny guy and a nice one too."

Result:
1 Dani Pedrosa (Spa) Honda 44mins 22.059secs,
2 Jorge Lorenzo (Spa) Yamaha 44:23.959,
3 Valentino Rossi (Ita) Yamaha 44:25.242,
4 Andrea Dovizioso (Ita) Honda 44:28.513,
5 Casey Stoner (Aus) Ducati 44:40.538,
6 Ben Spies (USA) Yamaha 44:50.444,
7 Colin Edwards (USA) Yamaha 44:56.993,
8 Alvaro Bautista (Spa) Suzuki 45:00.216,
9 Hector Barbera (Spa) Ducati 45:03.002,
10 Marco Melandri (Ita) Honda 45:04.436,
11 Aleix Espargaro (Spa) Ducati 45:07.965,
12 Hiroshi Aoyama (Jpn) Honda 45:08.453,
13 Randy De Puniet (Fra) Honda 45:12.540,
14 Marco Simoncelli (Ita) Honda 45:45.202

Moto GP Driver Championship Standings:
1 Jorge Lorenzo (Spa) Yamaha 271pts,
2 Dani Pedrosa (Spa) Honda 208,
3 Andrea Dovizioso (Ita) Honda 139,
4 Casey Stoner (Aus) Ducati 130,
4 Valentino Rossi (Ita) Yamaha 130

Moto GP Manufacturers Championship Standings:
1 Yamaha 280pts,
2 Honda 245,
3 Ducati 170,
4 Suzuki 64