[Iceman]

talian motorcyclist Marco Simoncelli has been tragically killed in a crash during today's Malaysian Moto GP, race organisers have confirmed.

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

The fatal incident comes just a week after British IndyCar racing driver Dan Wheldon died after crashing in Las Vegas
Agony: Marco Simoncelli's father is comforted as he waits outside a medical centre where the rider was taken following a crash at the Malaysian Grand Prix

Agony: Marco Simoncelli's father is comforted as he waits outside a medical centre where the rider was taken following a crash at the Malaysian Grand Prix

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

A message on the MotoGP website read: 'Marco Simoncelli succumbed to injuries sustained in Malaysia.'

Newly-crowned champion Casey Stoner admitted watching the accident made him worried for Simoncelli, who was later pronounced dead.

'As soon as I saw the footage it just makes you sick inside,' the Australian told BBC2.
Losing control: Simoncelli (No 58) crashed on the second lap of the race

Losing control: Simoncelli (No 58) crashed on the second lap of the race

'Whenever the helmet comes off that's not a good sign.'

Tony Elias, Moto2 world champion, was praying the injuries to Simoncelli were not serious before learning the devastating news.

'We just hope Marco is OK - that's my wish,' he said.
Concern: Honda team members await news of the Italian riders injuries

Concern: Honda team members await news of the Italian riders injuries

The organisers confirmed the race was cancelled, having halted it immediately after the fatal incident.

A bulletin from the organisers, reported on website Autosport, said: 'Race cancelled as the medical centre staff is focusing on treating Marco Simoncelli and track action cannot be resumed in the current circumstances.'
Cancelled: Rubbish covers the track after the race was abandoned early in Sepang

Cancelled: Rubbish covers the track after the race was abandoned early in Sepang

It was confirmed on MotoGP's official website that he died at 4.56pm local time.

The organisers cancelled the race when the extent of Simoncelli's injuries become apparent, having halted it immediately after the accident.

Tributes came in from his fellow riders.

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.'

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/oth...#ixzz1bbA0Fd5Z


Devastated

[Iceman]

Youtube video

So terrible

[Novo]

Looks horrible i feel sorry for the driver who drove into him as well it will probably play on his mind for years even though he could do nothing about it

[Iceman]

Im devestated. Such a horrific way to go.

[Iceman]

MotoGP MotoGP
by TalkingaboutF1
MotoGP extends its deepest condolences to Marco’s family, friends and team at this tragic loss.
8 minutes ago

[Novo]

Did he die instantly or was he in critical condition?

[Iceman]

They worked on him on track and then moved him to the medical facility.

[Iceman]

BBC MotoGP presenter Matt Roberts said: "Marco lost his helmet in the crash. The officials said that, when the track medics got to him, he was in cardiac arrest. They tried to resuscitate him in the ambulance and the medical centre."

[Novo]

When i first watched the video i thought the bike completely beheaded him

[Iceman]

Originally Posted by Novo

When i first watched the video i thought the bike completely beheaded him

yeah apparently theres an onboard from Bautista's bike, but I dont think i could watch that.

In the past two years we've had deaths in F2, Moto2, Isle of Man, British Superbikes, IndyCar and MotoGP. Odd one out? #scared

[MTVN]

Jesus that's awful, what a bad week for motorsports

Originally Posted by Eoin

yeah apparently theres an onboard from Bautista's bike, but I dont think i could watch that.

What is the odd one out?

[Iceman]

Apparently they didnt call his death on track because if they did the circuit would have to shut down immediately (never used again), horrible how people can think of that when something as tragic as this happens...


Also if you look at that video Rossi knew what happened, he backed off and had his head in his hands....

[Iceman]

Originally Posted by MTVN

Jesus that's awful, what a bad week for motorsports



What is the odd one out?

Formula 1

[Iceman]

I think this could be it for Rossi, Marco was a great friend of his and they trained and holidayed together. To know he was involved in his death (even though its completely not his fault) will really play on his mind.

[MTVN]

Originally Posted by Eoin

Formula 1

Oh right, I thought it was asking which was the odd one out among those ones that had deaths

[Iceman]

Newly-crowned champion Casey Stoner admitted immediately after the crash he had feared for Simoncelli.

"As soon as I saw the footage it just makes you sick inside," the Australian told BBC2.

"Whenever the helmet comes off that's not a good sign."

Tributes poured in for Simoncelli from teams and riders.

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."

[Iceman]

Newly-crowned champion Casey Stoner admitted immediately after the crash he had feared for Simoncelli.

"As soon as I saw the footage it just makes you sick inside," the Australian told BBC2.

"Whenever the helmet comes off that's not a good sign."

Tributes poured in for Simoncelli from teams and riders.

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."

[Iceman]

I can only hope he didnt feel any pain and it was quick.

[Iceman]

JensonButton Jenson Button
Sometimes Motorsport can be so cruel...
19 minutes ago

so true

[Ninastar]

this is so sad. It's strange that this rarely ever happens, and then it happens twice within a week. I know it's not exactly the same sport, but it's still tragic

[Iceman]

Originally Posted by Ninastar

this is so sad. It's strange that this rarely ever happens, and then it happens twice within a week. I know it's not exactly the same sport, but it's still tragic

I know im absolutely gutted. It's times like these I hate being a motorsport fan.

[Ninastar]

Originally Posted by Eoin

I know im absolutely gutted. It's times like these I hate being a motorsport fan.

I can't imagine how it feels being a fan

[Iceman]

Originally Posted by Ninastar

I can't imagine how it feels being a fan

It's just so sad and unexpected, in Racing these things are freak occurances but it was just so unexpected after Poor Dan Wheldon last week. But these things come in clusters in racing which is weird...


You know how they say a picture says a 1000 words.....

An Empty Garage With Marco Simoncelli's spare Bike.

[Iceman]

Centre, just before the horror crash

[Iceman]

oh god, this makes me sick It looks like it was Rossi's bike that delievered the fatal blow.