Marco Simoncelli

Today, motor racing lost another great personality in Marco Simoncelli. The Italian was fighting at the front of the field on lap on of the Moto GP race at Sepang when he came off his bike at high speed at Turn 11. He was aparenty collected by three other bikes including Valentino Rossi and Colin Edwards who was trying to avoid the crash.

The race was red flagged and by 9.30 it was cancelled as news reached the BBC that Marco was awake but in a critical condition.

Following the conclusion of coverage it became known via Autosport.com that Marco had passed away. Marco was just 24.

http://www.autosport.com/news/report.php/id/95629

Saw on Sky Sports News that the race had been red-flagged due to a serious crash involving Marco, and feared the worst. It's been a bad week for motorsport.

RIP

Just saw this too. Don't know what to say.

RIP Marco

RIP just heard about it on Planet Rock

Heard about it over Facebook when I woke up this morning.

What a tragedy, Marco was a rider who had a whole career and a works ride ahead of him.

Update from the Moto GP organisers:

http://www.motogp.com/en/news/2011/Race+Direction+press+conference+Simoncelli+Sepang

You've got to feel for Colin who was also injured but Vale too who escaped totally unscathed.

This has been the worst week in the world in Motorsport.

Rest in Peace

Another tragic accident for such a young rider :-(

RIP

Such a terrible week.

tragic. rest in peace.

I don't know what to say really because I've never been a fan of motorbikes.
But this has to be the darkest week for us, the motorsport community for a long time. Rest In Peace Marco.

RIP Marco

may not of been the most loved at times but was on his was to the top.