MotoGP News
Date: 3/November/2011
With the MotoGP paddock was still coming to terms with the tragic death of Marco Simoncelli, this weekend's Valencia season finale could be described as the race few want to take part in.
Popular 24-year-old Simoncelli was killed after falling into the path of Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi on lap 2 of the Malaysian Grand Prix, two weeks ago at Sepang.
Edwards will miss this weekend's race due to injuries, but Rossi - a close friend of Simoncelli - will return to the race track.
Difficult though it may be, most riders agree that racing is the best way to honour Simoncelli's memory.
"It’s good to be here in Valencia. It’s a strange feeling for everybody but I think it’s the best way to remember Marco," said Ducati rider Rossi, who wear a special helmet design this weekend.
“It’s been difficult, I’ve tried to stay as much as possible with Paolo [Simoncelli] and the family of Marco who are my friends.
"The feeling in Italy was unbelievable and great for Marco because a lot of people remembered him and demonstrated they liked him a lot on and off the track.
"In a bad moment like this the atmosphere was great with a lot of people who wanted to say ciao to Marco."
Rossi and fellow Italian Loris Capirossi both attended Simoncelli's funeral last week. Sunday's race will mark the end of Capirossi's long grand prix career - and he will ride with Simoncelli's number 58 on his Pramac Ducati.
“The situation is strange for everyone," admitted Capirossi. "We are all here and we try never to forget Marco - this is really important because he is part of our life and always tried to do his best.
"I want to use his number 58 on my bike for this race. I really hope he is happy about that and that I can achieve the same result as he could. I will do my best for him and after this race I will of course retire as planned.
"I am happy because after 22 seasons it’s a good time to stop. There are a lot of strong riders and it’s good to do something else.
“Like all stories start, they all finish and mine is finished.”
Sadly, Simoncelli's story finished far too early. The former 250cc world champion was only in his second season of MotoGP and had taken his best ever result, second place, just one week before his death.
Simoncelli had already re-signed to stay at Honda Gresini in 2012. The Gresini team unveiled a tribute to Simoncelli in their pit garage at Valencia on Thursday.
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