Sic 58: One Year On

REMEMBERING MARCO SIMONCELLI

On 23 October 2011, the world of MotoGP was in deep mourning, after a horrific crash at the Sepang Circuit, Marco Simoncelli passed away. It was a devastating blow to the Motorcycle racing world both for riders and fans alike as one of the most excitable characters in the sport was gone.

With his eccentric barnet and tall frame he was instantly recognisable in the MotoGP paddock, while on the track he was known for his aggressive riding style. He was no stranger to controversy, indeed his style got him into trouble when incidents happened, the 2011 season saw him caught up in spats with both Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa, but he could not be branded as a "dangerous rider" that easily.

After all, he was the 2008 250cc champion which is no mean feat, two years earlier he was the "Rookie of the Year" in that category. 12 wins, 10 pole positions and 22 podium finishes in just 64 races meant that Marco graduated to MotoGP in 2010 with a CV worthy of a future champion.

Marco Simoncelli, the 2008 250cc World Champion

Another reason not to severely criticise his style was that his debut season in Moto GP saw the Italian deliver a consistent performance, finishing 16 out of 18 races and 8th place in the championship.

But 2011 saw Simoncelli rise up the ranks to be known as "one of the top guys". He took pole position twice and was a threat to the regular front runners throughout his tragically shortened season. His best result came in his penultimate race, 2nd place at Phillip Island. He had another podium finish at Brno, a 3rd place finish was his maiden visit. He remained under contract to the San Carlo Gresini team for 2012 and looked set to build on his performance.

Despite some questionable tactics on the track, 2011 saw Marco
climb up the ranking in Moto GP

But then came Malaysia and what sadly would be Simoncelli's final race. On lap two, whilst running 4th, Simoncelli was exiting turn 11 when the bike began to slide, the Italian corrected this but his bike then swerved into the path of Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi. Marco was struck in the head by Edwards' bike with such force that his helmet came off, Simoncelli shockingly lay unconcious in the middle of the track as the race was stopped. At the medical centre, he was said to have sustained "very serious trauma to the head, to the neck and the chest". Upon hearing the news that Simoncelli had died, the race was abandoned.

Marco Simoncelli (with a towel over his head) prepares for what would
tragically prove to be his last ever race

At the final round of the MotoGP World Championship in Valencia, Italian veteran Loris Capirossi raced with Simoncelli's number 58, while Marco's friend and mentor Valentino Rossi wore a helmet in tribute to his compatriot. His vacancy in the San Carlo Gresini team was filled by Alvaro Bautista, and the team raced for the first half of the season in black livery as a mark of respect. The Misano World Circuit, located near Marco Simoncelli's place of birth has been renamed to commemorate him.

Marco Simoncelli is gone from the MotoGP circuit, but he will never leave MotoGP memory.