Struck down in his prime: Glory beckoned for tragic MotoGP rider Simoncelli

Marco Simoncelli, the Italian who lost his life after a crash at the Malaysian Grand Prix, is the latest in a long line of motorsport stars whose lives have been cut short doing what they loved.

Following so soon on the death of IndyCar star Dan Wheldon, the loss of Simoncelli is another stark reminder of the dangers some top-level sportsmen accept in their daily lives.

Simoncelli’s rise through the racing ranks earmarked him for greatness. He reached the Moto2 class by the age of 19 and soon made the switch up to Moto GP.

Destined for greatness: Simoncelli celebrates on the podium after winning in Catalunya in 2008

As a 21-year-old he won his first 250cc race at the Italian GP in Mugello and the following year finished third overall in World Championship.

His big move came in 2010 when he debuted MotoGP season for Honda where he finished 16 of the 18 races en route to eighth place in the championship.

In June this year he claimed his first pole at the Catalan GP but where he finished sixth before the tragedy occurred at the Malaysian GP in Sepang.

Unmistakable: Simoncelli savours success at the Japanese Grand Prix in 2008 while below he celebrates after winning in Australia the same year

Simoncelli was already a world champion when he moved into the MotoGP class and right from the very start he announced his arrival in a blaze of action.

The gangly Simoncelli with the crazy afro hairstyle - it earned him the nickname Sideshow Bob as he resembled the character from The Simpsons - cut a striking figure wherever he went.

Well over six feet tall, the 24-year-old was out of proportion for a world-class motorcycle racer, elbows and knees sticking out and legs dangling off the bike.

But appearances were deceptive. Simoncelli was a true champion and his larger-than-life outlook won the hearts of fans across the world.

Tribute: Serie A fans (above) and players (below) pay their respects

Wherever he went off the track women flocked to him. Wherever he went on the track fans sat up in their seats and took notice.

And his rivals invariably had to do the same.

Simoncelli was an uncompromising rider as many fellow racers found to their cost. As he battled to come to terms with racing in the premier class of world motorcycle racing this season he often came into conflict with others.

But the maverick side to his character endeared him to those of us whose adrenaline rose just by watching him bang and bash his way to the front.
Many saw Simoncelli as the true heir apparent to Valentino Rossi.

Early days: Simoncelli before he grew his trademark big hairstyle

The comparisons were easy. The fellow Italians took an instant like to each other and their no-nonsense attitude to racing often brought them into conflict with fellow racers and officials alike. It is easy to see why they became friends.

There was always a glint in Simoncelli’s eye and a broad grin on his face, even when he knew he had upset his colleagues.

Ironically he had tempered his wild style of late and the week before his death took his best result so far in MotoGP with second in Australia.

Sadly he will not be able to take that final highest step on the podium following his untimely death.

The light which shone brightly within Simoncelli will no longer illuminate the MotoGP race circuit.

The rider called 'Super Sic' by his team has gone and that makes MotoGP a darker place for all concerned.