A moment for Marco on MotoGP’s Sepang return

MotoGP News
Date: 18/October/2012

The MotoGP community gathered to remember Marco Simoncelli on Thursday, at the corner which claimed his life in last year’s Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang.

The charismatic and hard charging young Italian fell on lap two of the race, with the trajectory of his motorcycle then dragging him across the circuit in front of oncoming riders.

Simoncelli was hit almost simultaneously by Valentino Rossi, his close friend, and Colin Edwards.
The force of the impacts removed Simoncelli’s helmet and the 24-year-old, whose second season in MotoGP had seen him claim pole positions and podiums, tragically died of his injuries.

MotoGP has returned to Sepang for testing twice since last October, but Thursday marked the first time the whole paddock had returned to the circuit.

Starting from Simoncelli’s Honda Gresini team pit box, the whole paddock made its way to Turn 11 on foot, where team owner Fausto Gresini placed a permanent plaque in Simoncelli’s honour.

“Everyone in the paddock came to Turn 11 where Marco crashed last year so it was very emotional,” said Rossi. “It’s already one year, but when these things happen it’s difficult to understand the time - it’s always like the first day, because we miss him a lot.”

Simoncelli had won 14 grand prix races in the 125 and 250cc category before reaching MotoGP at the start of 2010. ‘Super Sic’ wrapped up the 2008 250c World Championship title at Sepang.