RIP Marco Simoncelli 1987-2011

Tragically at the Malaysian MotoGP race at the Sepang circuit, San Carlo Honda Gresini rider Marco Simoncelli was killed in a terrible racing accident. He was just 24.

There are not many occasions where I feel the need to add something like this on our blog or our website but as a motorcycle rider and race fan it is only right to express our shock and sadness at the loss of such a talent. Every racer at the top level of their sport knows how dangerous racing is. All racers ride at the absolute limit – there is no margin for error. They do it because they love it, and they do it because we all love to watch it.

Marco Simoncelli was a real racer. His style of hard riding mixed with flamboyant looks gained him many fans and critics alike but on track he was as focused, passionate and talented as many of the greats he raced with. He was only in MotoGP for his second season but he'd become a force to be reckoned with. At the previous round at Phillip Island, Australia, he came 2nd - his best ever race position in the top class. Surely a sign of the talent and the successful career that was sadly cut short. He would have won the Championship within the next few years for sure.

We'd like to add to the thousands of race fans around the world to express our deepest sympathies to his family, friends, and all the Gresini team.

A brief but fitting montage is available on the MotoGP website.