Simoncelli dies in Malaysian GP

Motorsport is mourning its second death in the space of a week after Italian Marco Simoncelli was killed in a crash at the Malaysian MotoGP.

The Gresini Honda rider lost control of his bike on the second lap at the Sepang circuit and was hit by Colin Edwards and then Valentino Rossi as he slid across the track.

The 24-year-old's helmet came off in the collision and he was taken to the medical centre for treatment, but died from his injuries.

Simoncelli's death comes exactly a week after British racing driver Dan Wheldon, a former IndyCar champion and two-time Indy 500 race winner, was killed in a 15-car pile-up at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

The organisers abandoned Sunday's race as soon as the extent of Simoncelli's injuries became apparent.

A statement on the MotoGP official website read: "On Sunday 23rd October, during the MotoGP race at the Shell Advance Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit, San Carlo Honda Gresini's Italian rider Marco Simoncelli suffered a serious accident in which he received critical injuries.

"The race was stopped immediately with the red flag and Simoncelli was transported by ambulance to the circuit medical centre where the medical staff worked to resuscitate him.

"Despite their efforts, Marco sadly succumbed to his injuries at 4:56pm local time.

"Everybody involved in MotoGP extends its deepest condolences to Marco's family, friends and team at this tragic loss."

Simoncelli, who won the 250cc world championship in 2008 - clinching the crown in Sepang - stepped up to MotoGP in 2010.

Promising

His career had taken a step forward this season after a series of promising performances in which Simoncelli's privately entered bike more than held its own against those of factory-backed riders.

Simoncelli earned his first pole position in Barcelona in June, finished on the podium for the first time at the Czech Grand Prix two months later and scored his best result - a second place - in Australia last weekend.

The lanky rider's aggressive style earned him plaudits from fans but also criticism from rivals, with last year's world champion Jorge Lorenzo taking Simoncelli to task when the pair sat in a press conference at Estoril earlier this year.

His death was the first fatality in MotoGP since Japan's Daijiro Katoh died from his injuries sustained at the 2003 Japanese Grand Prix.

Speaking at a press conference following the tragedy, medical director Dr Michele Macchiagodena said of Simoncelli: "Because of the crash he had during the race, in which he was hit by other riders, he suffered a very serious trauma to the head, to the neck and the chest.

"When our medical staff got to him he was unconscious. In the ambulance because there was a cardiac arrest they started CPR (cardiac pulmonary resuscitation).

"Immediately in the medical centre, with the help also of the doctor of our staff at the Clinica Mobile and local doctors, he was intubated and it was possible to take off some blood from the thorax.

"The CPR was continued for 45 minutes because we tried to help him for as long as we thought it was possible. Unfortunately it was not possible to help him and at 16:56 (local time) we had to declare he was dead."

Macchiagodena also confirmed that Edwards had suffered a dislocated shoulder in the crash but that it had been reset under anaesthesia and the American 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."

Spanish rider Dani Pedrosa had a dispute with fellow Simoncelli earlier this season, but news of his rival's death left last season's championship runner up reeling.

Repsol Honda's Pedrosa said: "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. I've been with his father and all we could do was to hug, nothing else matters.

"It was a fatal accident and 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."

Shocked

Newly-crowned MotoGP champion Casey Stoner added: "I'm so shocked and saddened by the loss of Marco. When things like this happen it reminds you how precious life is, it makes me feel sick inside.

"All I can say is how sorry I am for Marco's whole family I can't imagine what they are all going through and our thoughts and wishes are with them at this time. I hope they all stay close and pull through this tragedy together."

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."

British MotoGP rider Cal Crutchlow wrote on Twitter: "RIP Marco Simoncelli ! A great rider and all round nice guy. My thoughts are with all his family & friends. I will never forget today."

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

A message on Simoncelli's Gresini Honda team website read simply "CIAO 'SUPER SIC'.

The Rizla Suzuki team wrote: "All at Rizla Suzuki are deeply affected by today's tragic events and send their deepest condolences to Marco's family and friends during this time of great loss.

"R.I.P Marco Simoncelli, 20 January 1987 - 23 October 2011 - A true competitor."MARCO SIMONCELLI FACTFILE

1987: Born in Cattolica, Italy on January 20.
1996: Runner-up in the Italian Minimoto Championship.
1999: Champion of the Italian Minimoto Championship.
2000: Claims a back-to-back title in the Italian Minimoto Championship and is runner-up in the European Minimoto Championship.
2001: Moves up to the the Italian 125cc Championship and wins the title in his rookie year.
2002: Wins the European 125cc title.
2003: Takes part in his first full season in the 125cc World Championship with the Matteoni Racing team.
2004: Joins the Rauch Bravo team and wins his first Grand Prix at a rain-soaked Jerez.
2005: Completes another 125cc campaign with the Nocable.it Race team and finishes fifth in the final standings.
2006: Moves up to the 250cc class riding for Gilera. Finishes the season in 10th overall with a sixth place finish at the Chinese Grand Prix his best result.
2008: June - Wins his first 250cc race at the Italian GP in Mugello in controversial circumstances when Hector Barbera crashed into him after Simoncelli appeared to try to block him off.
October - Wins the 250cc World Championship after a successful season with Gilera with a third place finish in the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang.
2009: Finishes third overall in the 250cc World Championship behind Japan's Hiroshi Aoyama and Spain's Barbera.
2010: Moves up to ride in his debut MotoGP season for Honda. Finishes 16 of the 18 races en route to eighth place in the championship.
2011: May - Collides with Dani Pedrosa while battling for second in the French GP. The resulting crash saw Pedrosa break his collarbone and Simoncelli receive a ride-through penalty, eventually finishing fifth. Simoncelli accepted he needed to re-evaluate his riding style and at times be more cautious.
June - Claims his first MotoGP pole at the Catalan GP but a poor start resulted in a sixth placed finish.
October 23 - Killed in a crash during the Malaysian GP in Sepang.