R.I.P Marco Simoncelli

The world of motorsport is in mourning for a second consecutive weekend following the tragic death of Italian Moto GP rider Marco Simoncelli in Malaysia today. The 24 year old died just four minutes in to the race in Sepang when he came off his bike and skidded in to the path of Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi, who were unable to avoid him. The impact of the two bikes hitting Simoncelli caused injuries from which he was unable to recover, despite the best efforts of the medical team and around 45 minutes later, the tragic news of his death was announced.

 

Marco Simoncelli was one of Moto GP's most colourful characters (This image is the property of Reuters)

The incident occurred at turn 11 on only the second lap of the race as the Gresini Honda rider ran wide and tried to maintain control of the bike. He was unable to do so and the front end of the bike went from underneath him. It must be said that this is a highly common occurrence in Moto GP (four riders did the same thing last week) and does not normally cause any issues as the bike slides away from the rider. However, on this occasion the bike took Simoncelli with it and in to the path of two oncoming riders. Colin Edwards careered in to the stricken Italian at great speed before being catapulted out of the saddle himself (Edwards suffered a dislocated shoulder in the incident) and then the impact of Valentino Rossi’s Ducati appeared to be what removed Simoncelli’s helmet. The red flag was immediately waved and medical staff were on the scene very quickly to tend to the Italian, who lay there motionless. The race was eventually cancelled once the seriousness of Simoncelli’s condition was known. Around 45 minutes later, at 16.56 local time, it was announced that they had been unable to save him.

In a hastily arranged and highly emotional press conference, Medical Director Michele Macchiagodena explained what had happened: “He suffered a very serious trauma to the head, to the neck and the chest. When our medical staff got to him he was unconscious. In the ambulance because there was a cardiac arrest they started CPR (cardiac pulmonary resuscitation). Immediately in the Medical Centre, with the help of the doctor of our staff at the Clinica Mobile and local doctors, he was incubated and it was possible to take off some blood from the thorax. The CPR was continued for 45 minutes because we tried to help him for as long as we thought it was possible. Unfortunately it was not possible to help him and at 16:56 (local time) we had to declare he was dead.”

Questions will inevitably be asked about the safety of the sport, although it should be noted that this is the first death in the Moto GP class since 2003. Paul Butler (Race Director) stated that “Quite clearly the consequences and circumstances surrounding the accident will be thoroughly investigated.” Perhaps most worrying is the way Simoncelli ended up without a helmet and there will no doubt be questions raised about the design of such head protection. All of this is however for another time and for now; everybody’s thoughts and prayers are with Marco Simoncelli’s friends and family. We should also reflect on just what a huge talent and colourful character the sport has lost.

This was only Simoncelli’s second year in Moto GP following a successful career on smaller bikes, and he certainly made an impact. After entering the sport’s top tier, he quickly garnered a reputation for risky, swashbuckling driving which was exciting but also the subject of much criticism. The Italian’s aggressive riding style led to altercations with the likes of compatriot Andrea Dovizioso and Spain’s Dani Pedrosa. In fact, a crash with Pedrosa at this year’s French Grand Prix saw the Spaniard miss three races with a broken collarbone and Simoncelli serve a drive through penalty. Following the incident, the 24 year old admitted “in the future I will try at certain times to evaluate the situation better and be a little more cautious.”

 

The Italian's maverick riding style won him fans and critics alike (This image is the property of Moto GP)

Despite the criticism, Simoncelli’s talent was undeniable. He showed an ability to eke every last mph out of a non-factory bike and his capacity for overtaking was already becoming legendary. Two podiums this season, including a second place finish last week in Australia, had helped Simoncelli seal a deal to ride for Honda’s factory team next year and he was seemingly on his way to becoming the sport’s next big star before tragedy struck in Malaysia.

The Italian was brave on the track and much loved off it. He simply loved the thrill of riding at speed on his bike and his flamboyance in and out of the saddle won him the adoration of many fans. Several experts, including the BBC’s Steve Parrish, were tipping him to be a serious title contender on the Honda next year. Simoncelli was delighted at being offered a ride on the best bike on the grid, but the sight of a highly talented, highly exciting Italian on the machine is one of which we have been robbed.

There are rumours that Valentino Rossi, a close friend of his countryman, will retire following this weekend’s crash as he is said to be devastated and it was evident that the tragedy had caused much introspection amongst the other riders. The accident has rocked the sport to its core and it will take a long time for it to return to something like normality, but in the meantime let’s remember a young man who just loved riding a motorcycle and who provided us with fantastic entertainment both on and off the track. Thank you for the memories Marco, you will be sorely missed. R.I.P.

The Reactions of fellow Moto GP Riders

Casey Stoner (Honda): “As soon as I saw the footage it just makes you sick inside. Whenever the helmet comes off that’s not a good sign. I’m so shocked and saddened by the loss of Marco. When things like this happen it reminds you how precious life is, it makes me feel sick inside. All I can say is how sorry I am for Marco’s whole family. I can’t imagine what they are all going through and our thoughts and wishes are with them at this time. I hope they all stay close and pull through this tragedy together.”

Andrea Dovizioso (Honda): “He seemed invincible. What happened seems impossible. We raced together since we were kids. I saw him always pushing to the maximum. He crashed many times but without major injuries. In these circumstances, words don’t seem to be appropriate. I think of Marco’s family and all the people dear to him, in particular his father and mother. I also have a child and what happened today is the hardest situation you can imagine. I watched the images and I’m shocked. In a race you fight and push hard and disaster is often around the corner. Marco was a strong rider and he always pushed hard.”

Dani Pedrosa (Honda): “Many times we ourselves forget how dangerous this sport can be and, when you lose people on the way, nothing has any meaning. It’s clear we all do what we like, what we love, but on days like today nothing matters.”

Cal Crutchlow (Yamaha Tech 3): “RIP Marco Simoncelli! A great rider and all round nice guy. My thoughts are with all his family & friends. I will never forget today.” (From Twitter)

Casey Stoner Seals Moto GP World Championship on dramatic weekend at Phillip Island

Casey Stoner today (16^th October) won his second Moto GP world title, in his home Grand Prix, on his birthday. A fairytale ending some might say, but unfortunately it did not come in the manner that the new world champion had hoped for as a crazy race day brought a dramatic weekend of racing action to a close.

Heading in to this weekend’s round at the legendary Phillip Island circuit, many felt that the Repsol Honda rider and proud ‘Aussie’ had a slim chance of sealing a championship that was within touching distance. In order to end his four year wait for a second title, Stoner needed to score at least 10 points more than his nearest rival and defending world champion Jorge Lorenzo. However, the Spaniard’s consistency in finishing on the podium this season meant that most experts and fans expected the championship to go, at least, to Sepang next Sunday (23^rd October). In fact Stoner himself rated his chances of finishing the job on home soil as ‘very slim.’

That Stoner won the race is no great surprise. He loves the Phillip Island circuit and has now won five years in a row and at no point this weekend did that streak look like coming to an end. Despite crashing in the first practice session on Friday, he recorded the fastest time of the day with a 1:30.535. He was imperious during Saturday’s qualifying, securing pole as the only rider to go sub 1:30 and looked odds on to win yet another race. He did of course complete a superb weekend, winning at a canter, but the real shock is what happened to those behind him on the grid.

Casey Stoner in full flow on his way to becoming World Champion (This image is the property of AP)

Yamaha’s Ben Spies crashed out at 150 mph during the second qualifying session on Saturday and sustained severe bruising and a suspected cracked rib. He was still expected to line up on the grid but complained of a fuzzy head on the morning of the race and stated that he was unable to concentrate during the warm-up laps. Yamaha decided that it was too dangerous to send the American out and one of their riders was out of the race.

Then came the big news of the day and it was news that changed the whole complexion of the world championship race. On the last corner of the last lap of the warm-up, Jorge Lorenzo’s bike took on the role of bucking bronco and despite the best efforts of the Spaniard to keep it under control, the Yamaha YZR-M1 catapulted him from the saddle. Lorenzo walked away seemingly unscathed but appeared to be examining his left hand with great concern. His hand became trapped under the bike when it threw him off and we have since learned that he lost the tip of his ring finger in the incident. Thankfully he underwent successful surgery in Melbourne and according to a Yamaha team statement released today ‘no functionality will be lost in either the finger or the hand.’ He will, however, miss the race in Malaysia next weekend.

Lorenzo’s misfortune meant that Stoner only had to finish in the top six to become world champion, but as has been the case all season, the Australian showed the rest how it is done, but not before he showed that he is also a top class act out of the saddle. Upon hearing that Lorenzo had been taken to hospital, Stoner’s immediate reaction was to do the human thing and enquire as to the welfare of his great rival. He then expressed his disappointment at not being able to try to win the championship from the incumbent directly. How many sportsmen would have acted in such a dignified manner?

Back to the track and the unpredictable elements put paid to the hopes of the great Valentino Rossi, who passed Alvaro Bautista at speed but was unable to stop the bike quickly enough on surface water and crashed out. They also saw the end of Bautista himself who also slid out. Cal Crutchlow and Hiroshi Aoyama were also victims, and Karel Abraham’s nightmare weekend ended in fitting fashion, in the gravel trap. Andrea Dovizioso and Marco Simoncelli thrilled the crowd with a close run battle for second which involved several overtakes and numerous close shaves.

Whilst all of this carnage was taking place, one man was forgotten by the TV cameras, the man who can now deservedly call himself the best in the world. Stoner serenely rode, unopposed and unstoppably, to the world title which has, in truth, had his name on it for some time. In commentary, Stoner’s excitable countryman Charlie Cox referred to him as a ‘magician on a motorbike,’ and based on what we have seen this year, it is impossible to disagree. The statistics speak for themselves. Nine wins, six podiums and 11 poles from 16 races are championship form by any measure and in many ways, what happened in Australia was something of a microcosm for the season as a whole.

The Australian celebrates the perfect birthday present (This image is the property of Andrew Brownhill)

Jorge Lorenzo has been very good this season, but has made several costly mistakes. He crashed out at Silverstone in Round Six and never looked comfortable in the final sector this weekend, the sector in which he crashed out.  The man widely considered the best rider in the history of the sport, Valentino Rossi, has struggled on a less than stellar Ducati, crashing out in the last two races. Stoner’s teammate Dani Pedrosa has been solid but has paid the price for missing three races as a result of his crash in France earlier in the season and Marco Simoncelli has simply suffered too many DNFs (four).

Stoner has not made such errors. In fact, only once, at Jerez where he did not finish, has Stoner failed to get on the podium. He has simply been head and shoulders above the rest of the field. Many have unfairly put this down to the superiority of the Honda Honda RC212V, which has usurped the Yamaha as the best bike on the grid. Whilst there is some truth in the claims that the Honda has been better than every other bike, the pace Stoner has been able to eke out of the machine has been phenomenal. He has left everybody in his wake, and let us not forget that this is his first season on the Honda having switched from Ducati at the end of the last season. Stoner has shown signs of frustration at the lack of appreciation he has received in the past and one has to have some sympathy for him. He is a bona fide two-time world champion in an elite sport and may even go on to emulate, or perhaps even better, the record of fellow ‘Aussie’ and former Repsol Honda star Mick Doohan, who won five world titles between 1994 and 1998.

Today is not, however, a day for Stoner to dwell on the lack of credit he gets or what the future may hold. It is instead a day for revelling in his fantastic achievement and enjoying his birthday with his nearest and dearest. The world title is the best present he could have asked for and may even make up for the fact that his father did not buy him anything for his 26^th birthday!

Congratulations Casey Stoner, a deserved 2011 Moto GP World Champion.