Motorsport mourns after rider killed at Malaysian event

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

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 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.

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Simoncelli’s death came 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 Buckinghamshire driver was 33.

Organisers of yesterday’s race cancelled it 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.

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“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.

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

Tributes poured in for Simoncelli from teams and riders.

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