Racing rocked by second horror crash in a week: Motorcyclist dies after being flung headlong from his bike during Malaysian Moto GP
- The rider lost control of his bike before he appeared to be hit by Colin Edwards and then Valentino Rossi
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| Tragic: Marco Simoncelli of Italy and San Carlo Honda Gresini has died following a crash involving Valentino Rossi and Colin Edwards during the Malaysian MotoGP in Sepang, Malaysia |
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
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.
'Whenever the helmet comes off that's not a good sign.'
Tony Elias, Moto2 world champion, said he 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.
The organisers confirmed the race was cancelled, having halted it immediately after the fatal incident.
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| Deadly: The rider (No 58) is seen sliding from his bike and colliding with two other riders in a horrifying crash |
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| Moment of horror: Simoncelli loses control on the second lap |
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| Disaster: Simoncelli fatally falls off of his Honda after colliding into Colin Edwards |
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| Devastated: Colin Edwards of the US who was involved in the crash stands at the side of the track after the fatal crash |
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| 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 |
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| The organisers cancelled the race when the extent of Simoncelli's injuries become apparent, having halted it immediately after the accident |
SIMONCELLI, THE MAN WHO LIVED TO RACE
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 driving 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.
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 driving 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.
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