“Super Sic” was a rising star in MotoGP, a charismatic 24-year-old Italian who raced his San Carlo Honda Gresini RC212V with the same passion that he lived his life by. He was in fourth place on the second lap of the Malaysian Grand Prix just ten days ago when he lost his life in a tragic accident.

The much beloved bushy-haired free spirit was honoured at sporting events worldwide, including Serie A football matches in his native Italy, as well as at the Formula One Indian Grand Prix. The San Carlo Honda Gresini team will take part in the Valencia Grand Prix to honour the memory of his former 250cc championship rival.

The Honda riders arrive back on European soil having won all the major prizes. Casey Stoner (Repsol Honda RC212V) won the Riders Championship at his home Australian Grand Prix. Stoner’s ninth win of the season also gave Honda the Constructors Championship. And the Repsol Honda team clinched the Teams Championship when the Malaysian Grand Prix was canceled following Simoncelli’s accident.

Still, the Repsol Honda team-mates will be out for personal glory in Valencia. In his 100th grand prix in the premiere class, Stoner will be vowing to win his tenth race – it would be an 800cc class-leading 34th overall - and the final race of the 800cc era; two days after the race the 1000cc era begins with the Honda RC213V. Andrea Dovizioso is trying to secure second in the MotoGP World Championship, while team-mate Dani Pedrosa is there to make sure that doesn’t happen, and continue his streak of finishing in the championship top three, which he’s done every year since 2007.

Stoner has had the season of a lifetime. With podium finishes in every race he’s finished, Stoner was the runaway championship winner of the final 800cc MotoGP World Championship. He also won the inaugural 800cc crown in 2007. Coming to Valencia he has nine wins, 11 poles, and seven fastest race laps. The 26-year-old Australian has been on pole in Valencia for the last three years, finishing second last year and winning the race in 2008. He also finished second here in 2007, as well as winning on a 125 in 2004.

Dovizioso and Pedrosa are separated by only four points-212 to 208- in their battle for third overall. If Pedrosa wins the race or finishes second ahead of Dovi, he’ll come third in the championship. Otherwise, he has to finish with a cushion of four points. Of the two, Pedrosa has the more impressive record in Valencia. Pedrosa won the traditional season finale in 2009 and from the pole in 2007, giving Honda ownership of the pole position for the past four years. He also claimed a second place finish in 2008. In addition, Pedrosa has two wins here in the 250cc class and a 125cc win. Dovi has a best MotoGP finish of fourth-twice-and also finished second in his 250cc days.

Valencia marks the end of Hiroshi Aoyama’s (San Carlo Honda Gresini RC212V) MotoGP career, for now. The likeable Japanese rider will be moving on to World Superbike to help Honda recapture the championship as a member of the successful Ten Kate Honda team. He’d like nothing more than to go out with a successful result, not only for himself, but for the team and the memory of his team-mate.

The decision to take part wasn’t an easy one for the San Carlo Honda Gresini team, but they’ll compete in both the MotoGP and Moto2 classes.

Toni Elias will be leaving the LCR Honda MotoGP team after this race and would also like to end on a high note. Elias has struggled in his return to the premier class after becoming the first ever Moto2 champion in 2010. A return to home soil, for the fourth time this year, may be the motivation he needs to come to grips with the Honda RC212V for the final time.

Valencia’s Ricardo Tormo circuit is part of a new breed of race track that’s configured with stadium seating. The venue on the outskirts of Spain’s third largest city is surrounded by grandstands with excellent sight lines that can accommodate up to 150,000 fans, many of whom camp out in the fields lining the entrance to the track. As they enter the facility they ride past a statue of Spanish racer Ricardo Tormo, who won the 50cc World Championship in 1978 and 1981.

The layout itself is often likened to a go-kart track and with good reason. Valencia is a stop-and-go circuit which squeezes 14 corners-nine lefts, five rights-into 4Km (2.489 miles). The circuit has one long downhill straight of 876m (.544 miles), otherwise it doesn’t allow riders or tyres any rest.

Because of the predominance of left-handed corners, including the first two and the last two, the track places different demands on the asymmetric tyres, which have a soft right shoulder and harder left side. The tight, twisty nature of the track places an emphasis on changes of direction, edge grip, and acceleration. The challenge for the riders and technicians is to develop a well-balanced machine with engine mapping that reduces front wheel lift out of the track’s many slow corners. A number of the corners are linked one to the next, punishing riders who get out of their rhythm.

Honda has won five of the 12 premier class races at Valencia. It began with Alex Barros in 2002, then Valentino Rossi a year later, Marco Melandri in 2005 and Pedrosa in 2007 and again in 2009.

HONDA MotoGP RIDER QUOTES

San Carlo Honda Gresini team owner Fausto Gresini says:

“The decision to participate was not an easy one, but we have made this choice as it is what Marco would have wanted. Going out on track at Valencia is definitely the best way to honour him by doing what he most loved to do: Ride and experience the world of MotoGP. This is why I believe that the best show of affection that we can make to Marco is by lining up our teams and riders for this race. ‘Super Sic’ will be present in the hearts of Hiroshi Aoyama, Michele Pirro and Yuki Takahashi, and I am sure that they will give him a most fitting tribute with their performances on Sunday.”

Repsol Honda rider Casey Stoner says:

“It will be difficult to return to racing this weekend after Marco's terrible accident in Sepang, but I think it is the best thing we can do to honour him. We know we all play a risky game and, even if compared to the past the safety of our sport is much better, unfortunately these kind of events still occur. My thoughts go out to his family and I hope that they are coping through this period. The race this weekend is the final round of an incredible season for us. We worked hard all year and after clinching the title in Phillip Island we are starting to look to 2012. After the race here in Valencia we will have the two-day test on the 1000cc machine and then we can take a well deserved break and reflect on the ups and downs of a very long hard season. We will go out there this weekend and try to put on a good show for all the fans, and especially in memory of Marco.”

Repsol Honda rider Andrea Dovizioso says:

“I’m very sad for the loss of Marco. I’m going to Valencia not in the right frame of mind for a race. I will wear Marco's number 58 on the chest of my leathers, close to my heart, this is the only thing that counts. I have raced with Marco throughout my whole career. He was ‘the rival’ and now that he is no longer with us, he has left a big void and I want to convert this feeling of emptiness to determination. I hope to get a good result at Valencia, mainly because it is important for me to finish third in the championship, but I know the race will be difficult as it is not one of my favourite circuits and Dani is very strong there. Also, the GP of Valencia is my last race with Honda and I really would like to crown these ten years together with a good final race.”

Repsol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa says:

“Valencia will be a very special race for everybody. This weekend we will all have Marco in our thoughts and I hope the fans show their respect and appreciation to him, as the whole MotoGP family will do. Valencia is a track I like a lot and I'm looking forward to seeing all the fans there again. Last year I couldn't perform very well due to injury, but this time I hope to have a good race and finish the season in a good shape.” San Carlo Honda Gresini rider Hiroshi Aoyama says: “Me and my team will be in Valencia. I will do my best in the race to honour and remember Marco.”