Photos: Tribute To Italian Motorcycle Racer Marco Simoncelli

Photos: Tribute To Italian Motorcycle Racer Marco Simoncelli

Gresini decides to race at Valencia in tribute to Marco Simoncelli

Gresini decides to race at Valencia in tribute to Marco Simoncelli

Gresini Racing has announced that it will compete in the Valencia Grand Prix as a tribute to its late rider Marco Simoncelli.

Fausto Gresini had initially indicated that his team would withdraw from the season finale in the wake of Simoncelli's death in a crash on lap two of the Malaysian GP.

The team subsequently decided it would be present at Valencia at least, and has now confirmed that it will race.

Gresini said he had decided to enter his bikes as he was sure Simoncelli would have preferred to see them racing in the circumstances.

"The decision to participate was not an easy one, but we have made this choice as it is what Marco would have wanted," said Gresini. "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."

Hiroshi Aoyama will be Gresini's sole MotoGP rider this weekend, with Yuki Takahashi and Michele Pirro running for its Moto2 arm as usual.

"'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," Gresini added.

The event will also be Aoyama's final MotoGP appearance before he switches to World Superbikes for 2012 with Ten Kate Honda.

Marco Simoncelli's father calls for 'minute of noise' in tribute to his son

Marco Simoncelli's father calls for 'minute of noise' in tribute to his son

Marco Simoncelli's father Paolo has requested that a 'minute of noise' is held during this weekend's Valencia Grand Prix in memory of his son, rather than the traditional minute's silence.

Simoncelli died when he crashed on lap two of the Malaysian Grand Prix and was struck by the following bikes of Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi. His funeral took place in Coriano last Thursday.

"Next Sunday during the Valencia GP, instead of there being a minute's silence to honour Marco, I would prefer that there was a minute of total chaos with all the engines of the bikes of MotoGP, Moto2 and 125 all on and roaring together," Gazzetto dello Sport quotes Paolo Simoncelli as saying during an interview on television programme Domenica Cinque.

Simoncelli's father added that he continued to be comforted by the affection shown by fans and colleagues in the wake of his son's death.

"People have come from all over Italy and from abroad to say goodbye to Marco," he said. "They cry and it's me that has to console then. Sometimes I think that Marco was an angel. All this affection makes me feel better and it is helping all of us. I think that the key to all this affection is his smile."

A fan's idea of Ducati ' Super Sic Tribute Edition' for Valencia

A fan's idea of Ducati ' Super Sic Tribute Edition' for Valencia

Valentino Rossi’s inseparable buddy Uccio has asked via Twitter for ideas on how Valentino could pay tribute to his late friend Marco Simoncelli in the upcoming MotoGP season finale at Valencia.

This is just one idea of the ideas on how they could change the livery of the GP11 that a fan posted on a Facebook page. I like it, how about you guys?

Rossi's mum: Now I fear for Valentino

Interview with Italian press after Simoncelli's death

STEFANIA Palma, Valentino Rossi's mother has said she's afraid for Valentino, following Marco Simoncelli's death.

In her interview with La Nazione, Valentino's mother recounts how Marco and Valentino played football as kids, how the two families are very close and that losing Marco feels like losing a family member. She goes on to say that both her and Marco's mother, Rossella, had both allowed their sons to make their own decisions in life.

Stefania said she always felt close to Valentino, but now she fears for him. Valentino, who texted her from Sepang, said it had been a very difficult year, however she went on to say she's not afraid of Valentino quitting: "So far Valentio has been lucky and hope has always been a part of his life and when he has been injured he has always healed and looked to move on whereas in the case of Marco and Marco's mother, when there is death there is no hope."

Read all news articles for Valentino Rossi Rossi, Agostini, Hailwood. About the biggest of the big?

Monday, October 31, 2011


In a recent interview with Rai, Valentino Rossi is placed in the top three riders in the history of motorcycling, with Mike Hailwood and Giacomo Agostini. Legitimate views from high pulpit, who has won 9 world titles to date. Actually, almost never (if ever) before the drivers are given their own report card ....

What counts, what are the parameters to determine the rankings? The world championships? In that case, why forget the 9 or 13 of Angel Nieto Charles Ubbiali? Worth less than it won in the "small" displacements? Count the "myths", the protagonists of the great duels? In this case, where does the first Italian winner in TT (1937) Omobono Tenni, the British considered the "best rider in the world"?

And of Nuvolari and Varzi duels, Guth and Woods, and Meier Seraphim before the war, then Ruffo and Ambrosini, Duke and Liberati, Graham and Admiral and Lomas and Masetti, Surtees (only one in history to have won world in motion with the MV Agusta 500 and Formula 1 with Ferrari) and Lomas and McIntyre, Casting and Ubbiali, Hailwood and Hocking? Pasolini and Agostini, Read, and Saarinen? On the way up to the likes of Roberts, Spencer, Sheene, Schwantz, Doohan, etc.?

"When I saw that he had no helmet understood that there was nothing to do"

Simoncelli’s Funeral – “Ciao Marco. Now You’re on the Highest Podium of All”

Simoncelli’s Funeral – “Ciao Marco. Now You’re on the Highest Podium of All”

Balloons and Vasco Rossi music for Sic’s farewell. At least 25,000 attend service. Valentino Rossi takes charge of Honda number 58

MILAN – Marco Simoncelli’s coffin was carried into church by friends at Coriano, in the province of Rimini. Accompanying the bearers was a cloud of red balloons with Simoncelli’s race number, 58, as they moved through the crowd to cover the short distance from the municipal theatre, where a mortuary chapel had been set up, to the church where the funeral was held. Friends and relatives greeted the entrance of the coffin with a warm, and very long, round of applause. Waiting in the church were members of Simoncelli’s family: his father Paolo, his mother Rossella, his sister Martina and his grandfather. They, too, were applauded, as was Simoncelli’s girlfriend, Kate.

INVITED GUESTS – Valentino Rossi was one of the first to arrive, at about 2 pm, and was followed by many of the big names in motor sport, including Mattia Pasini, Jorge Lorenzo and Randy De Puniet. MotoGP’s travelling medical officer, Dr Claudio Costa, was also present. Representing officialdom were the youth minister, Giorgia Meloni, and the junior minister for sport, Rocco Crimi. More than a thousand people, most of whom arrived on motorbikes, watched the funeral from the Santa Monica race track at Misano Adriatico.

THE SERVICE – “I must confess that in this tangle of emotions, I am having difficulty in finding words”, said the bishop of Rimini, Francesco Lambiasi, as he began his sermon. He went on: “The evening before the last race, you said you wanted to win the Grand Prix because everyone would be able to see you better on the podium. It saddens us not to be able to see you now but we find peace and much joy in the hope that you are watching us from the highest podium of all”. The bishop’s thoughts then went to what Sic had done in his life: “Jesus, who takes note of even a cool glass of water given with love, was there on Sunday to say to Marco: ‘Thank you for all the times you hugged me in the disabled brothers of the Piccola Famiglia community at Monte Tauro. Thank you, Marco, for all the times you gave us such fun by taking part in the minikart race at the saint’s day festival of your parish church. Thank you because every time you did these things for my little brothers, you did them for me’”.

SIC’S FATHER – The bishop’s address was followed by more heart-felt applause. One of the first to applaud was Simoncelli’s father, whom the bishop had mentioned in his sermon: “Let me endorse the words of Marco’s father Paolo: ‘They say that God plants the loveliest flowers in heaven so they won’t ever wither’”. Simoncelli’s father also exchanged embraces with Jorge Lorenzo, the rider who had had harsh words for Marco during the 2011 season with regard to allegedly dangerous overtaking manoeuvres.

VASCO ROSSI AND THE BIKE – After the service, Valentino Rossi took Simoncelli’s Honda number 58 out of the church. It was one of two bikes that the bishop had allowed inside, the other being the Gilera on which Sic won the 2008 world championship. Rossi then exchanged embraces with Simoncelli’s mother, Rossella. Meanwhile, loudspeakers played Sic’s favourite song, “Siamo solo noi” [It’s Only Us] by Vasco Rossi. The coffin paused outside the church for a few minutes as Simoncelli’s father and sister Martina sat on the ground next to it. Sic’s girlfriend Kate said her farewell in front of the crowd: “He only had good qualities. He was a perfect person and perfect people cannot live with us ordinary mortals”.

REQUEST – The president of the Italian motorcycle federation, Paolo Sesti, has asked that the number 58 used by Marco Simoncelli should be withdrawn from MotoGP. Mr Sesti has sent an official letter to Carmelo Ezpeleta, the CEO of the Spain-based Dorna company that organises MotoGP.

2011 season to wrap up in Valencia

The Gran Premio Generali de la Comunitat Valenciana will round off the 2011 campaign this weekend.

Monday, 31 October 2011

The 2011 MotoGP season will come to a conclusion this weekend at Valencia, where the final round of the campaign will take place at the famous Ricardo Tormo circuit.

Primarily the thoughts of the entire MotoGP community remain with the family and friends of Marco Simoncelli, whose funeral took place last week in the Italian rider's hometown of Coriano. The Gresini Team has confirmed it will be present at this weekend's Gran Premio Generali de la Comunitat Valenciana with the team garage set up and displaying Simoncelli's bike in tribute.

As the riders refocus on riding once again and with Casey Stoner already having been crowned World Champion, there still remain a number of positions to be decided in the final standings.

Jorge Lorenzo is assured of runner-up spot in the overall classification regardless of whether the Yamaha Factory racing rider takes part this weekend. The Spaniard is still recovering from surgery to a finger injury he received following a crash in Phillip Island, and confirmation of whether he will ride or not this weekend is still to come.

Third place remains a closely contested position with Repsol Honda team-mates Andrea Dovizioso and Dani Pedrosa just four points apart. The Italian will be keen to sign off from his time in the factory Honda outfit with a strong result and final classification, before he moves onto the Tech 3 team in 2012.

Ben Spies (Yamaha Factory Racing) will expect to be back to full fitness after a tough weekend at Sepang, and the American looks set to seal fifth in the standings, although Valentino Rossi (Ducati Team) can still challenge him. Rossi's team-mate Nicky Hayden could also still finish ahead of his Ducati colleague.

Colin Edwards will be absent this weekend as he continues to recover from the injuries he sustained in Malaysia, and will be replaced in Valencia by American superbike champion Josh Hayes. Edwards' fellow American will also remain in Valencia for the Test on Tuesday and Wednesday. Cal Crutchlow, on the second Tech 3 machine, leads Karel Abraham (Cardion ab Motoracing) by a single point in the race for the Rookie of the Year title.

This weekend will also see Loris Capirossi take part in his final Grand Prix, bringing to an end his illustrious 22-year World Championship career which will have spanned 328 race starts by the time the Italian takes to the starting grid for Sunday's race.

Preparations for the 2012 season will continue on Tuesday, as the traditional Valencia Test takes place with manufacturers pushing on with the development of their prototypes ahead of the introduction of the new 1000cc engine capacity limit next season.

San Carlo Honda Gresini and Gresini Moto2 will participate at Valencia

Monday, 31 October 2011

The MotoGP and Moto2 teams run by Fausto Gresini will be present and on track this weekend at Valencia, with Hiroshi Aoyama riding in the MotoGP class and Michele Pirro and Yuki Takahashi competing in the final Moto2 race of 2011.

Team owner Fausto Gresini confirmed the participation of both teams in the final round of the 2011 MotoGP World Championship at Valencia, stating the participation of the teams will be tributes to their fallen rider Marco Simoncelli.

“The decision to participate was not an easy one, but we have made this choice as it is what Marco would have wanted,” said Gresini.

“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,” he concluded.

Josh Hayes to join Monster Yamaha Tech 3 in Valencia

Monday, 31 October 2011

American Superbike Champion Josh Hayes will replace injured Colin Edwards for this weekend's Valencia MotoGP round in Spain.

The 36-year-old has been drafted in by the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 squad because Edwards is unable to participate in Valencia while he recovers from injuries sustained during the Shell Advance Malaysian Motorcycle Grand Prix at Sepang on October 23.

Edwards was due to make his final appearance for the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 squad at the Ricardo Tormo Circuit after a long and successful career with Yamaha in the MotoGP World Championship, which started back in 2005.

The Texan though will undergo an operation to repair cartilage damage around the top of the humerus bone in his left arm after he was involved in an incident with Marco Simoncelli and Valentino Rossi on the second lap of the Sepang race. Tragically, Simoncelli succumbed to injuries sustained in the accident.

Hayes, who won his second successive American Superbike crown for the Monster Energy Graves Yamaha Team in a dramatic final round in New Jersey, was due to test the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 YZR-M1 machine the day after Sunday's final race.

Yamaha US and Monster Energy arranged the test appearance to reward Hayes for capturing the American Superbike title for the second year in succession in 2011.

Hayes will now join British rider Cal Crutchlow when practice for the Valencia round gets underway on Friday morning.

Gresini to race in Valencia in honour of Marco Simoncelli

Gresini to race in Valencia in honour of Marco Simoncelli

MotoGP

31 October 2011 13:11

Fausto Gresini: "The decision to participate was not an easy one, but we have made this choice as it is what Marco would have wanted."

Marco Simoncelli's Gresini Honda squad will race in this weekend's Valencia MotoGP round to honour the Italian star after he was tragically killed in the Sepang race earlier this month.

Team boss Fausto Gresini had agonised over whether to race in MotoGP and Moto2 this weekend after Simoncelli succumbed to serious head, neck and chest injuries on the second lap of the Malaysian Grand Prix.

The popular 24-year-old was struck by Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi after he’d lost control at Turn 11 while running in fourth position.

In the immediate aftermath of Simoncelli’s accident, Gresini doubted whether he would race in Valencia with Hiroshi Aoyama and his Moto2 squad that runs Yuki Takahashi and Michele Pirro.

The distraught Italian said: "In this terrible moment I can’t believe anything. After something like this you can't see any reason to do this."

But the Gresini squad issued a statement this morning confirming it will participate this weekend at the Ricardo Tormo circuit.

Gresini said: "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."

MOTOGP: Yamaha Confirms Hayes’ GP Ride

Monster Energy Graves Yamaha's Josh Hayes (Photo: Evan Williams)

MotoGP Season Ends This Weekend

The final race of the 2011 MotoGP season is this Sunday at Valencia. Casey Stoner has already secured the championship and Jorge Lorenzo is safely in second place. But this weekend will see the third place position decided as Repsol Honda teammates Dani Pedrosa and Andrea Dovizioso are separated by just 4 points.

But the battle for third could be a distant thought as the MotoGP riders take to the track this weekend, as the final race of the season will be a celebration of Marco Simoncelli, who died after a crash last weekend in Malaysia.

The Gresini Honda team announced that they will be participating in the Valencia GP to honor their fallen rider and many of the riders on the GP grid are expected to pay tribute to Super Sic.

Simoncelli is currently tied in 6th place with Valentino Rossi.

Ben Spies should be able to hold on to fifth place. The American is currently fifteen points ahead of Rossi. Rossi would need a race win and a poor finish from Spies if he wants to take fifth.

Rossi hasn't scored a win all year, but if there is a race to do it at, it's at Valencia. Jorge Lorenzo may not race due to an injury. Casey Stoner may not be pushing himself since he's already won the championship. It's unlikely, but possible, that Rossi captures a race win before the season is over.

The final race of the MotoGP season will also see feature an AMA racer. AMA Superbike champion Josh Hayes will be filling in for Colin Edwards at the final race of the season.

Tech 3 Yamaha Makes it Official: Josh Hayes Racing MotoGP This Weekend

The Tech 3 Yamaha team released a statement confirming all AMA Racing fans hopes. Josh Hayes will be racing at the MotoGP race in Valencia this weekend.

Hayes, who was scheduled to test the Tech 3 team's MotoGP bike after the race weekend, will start his MotoGP test a few days earlier. Hayes will be stepping in for an injured Colin Edwards to race the YZR-M1 at the final race of the season in Spain.

The Tech 3 Yamaha team writes:

"Hayes, who won his second successive American Superbike crown for the Monster Energy Graves Yamaha Team in a dramatic final round in New Jersey, was due to test the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 YZR-M1 machine the day after Sunday's final race.

"Yamaha US and Monster Energy arranged the test appearance to reward Hayes for capturing the American Superbike title for the second year in succession in 2011.

"Hayes will now join British rider Cal Crutchlow when practice for the Valencia round gets underway on Friday morning."

Do you think Hayes will be able to keep pace with the MotoGP riders? Top 10?

Josh Hayes to Race MotoGP at Valencia

Colin Edwards will not be racing next during the final MotoGP race of the season at Valencia, but Josh Hayes will. The two-time AMA Superbike champion will be filling in for Edwards during the Valencia race.

Earlier this month Hayes was offered a chance to test the Yamaha Tech 3 teams motorcycle after the Valencia race.

Yamaha Tech 3 boss Herve Poncharal said:

"He's been offered the ride by Monster and Yamaha US to make a few laps, and it has been agreed by Yamaha."

But with Edwards out, Hayes' involvement with the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 team has been raised. Hayes, who has won the AMA Superbike championship the last two years, will get his shot next weekend to race in the MotoGP.

Gresini team to race in memory of Simoncelli

Fausto Gresini announces his team will take part in the final round at Valencia

GRESINI racing will take part in last race of the season at Valencia this weekend, in memory of Marco Simoncelli.

Fausto Gresini had originally stated that the team would attend the final round of the season, but had yet to decide whether his team would compete.

However, the Italian team has now announced they will race at Valencia in memory of Simoncelli, with his team mate Hiroshi Aoyama representing the satellite Honda team in MotoGP alongside Yuki Takahashi and Michele Pirro in the Moto2 class.

The team will still assemble Simoncelli's side of the garage in tribute to their rider.

Team manager, Fausto Gresini said: 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.”

A minute silence will also take place at Valencia. Simoncelli's father, Paolo said he would like a minute of 'noise and chaos' - from the 125, Moto2 and MotoGP bikes revving together - in Marco's honour, a fitting tribute to MotoGP's exciting racer.

Thousands line the streets of Simoncelli's hometown for tragic MotoGP star's funeral

Thousands line the streets of Simoncelli's hometown for tragic MotoGP star's funeral

Last updated at 10:33 AM on 28th October 2011

Marco Simoncelli was laid to rest in Coriano on Thursday, the village where he was born and lived.
The Italian MotoGP rider died on Sunday after suffering fatal wounds during a crash on the Sepang track at the Malaysia event.

Simoncelli lost control of his Honda at turn 11 and swerved across the track, straight into the path of compatriot Valentino Rossi and American rider Colin Edwards.

More than 20,000 fans paid their respects on Wednesday, filing past his coffin at the Coriano Theatre.

Hometown hero: Thousands of fans follow Simoncelli's coffin through the town of Coriano

Large crowds gathered on Thursday outside the church in Coriano where the funeral was held to bid farewell to the 24-year-old - nicknamed Sic.

Members of the motorsports world, family and friends were present at the funeral while thousands watched it on national television, including those who saw it on big screens set up in Coriano's village square.

Among those present at the service was his close friend and seven-time world champion Rossi, Spanish rider Jorge Lorenzo as well as Gresini Racing Team boss Fausto Gresini.

Grief-stricken: Simoncelli's parents arrive at the Santa Maria church

Gresini said: 'We must do what we are doing, to be close to the family and honour Marco for what he has done.

'Perhaps we didn't consider just how much he was loved, we thought we knew it, but the number of people that have come here has been truly great.

'This is comforting even though we have a lot of pain inside.'

Close friend: Valentino Rossi (centre) arrives in Coriano

Two of Simoncelli's motorbikes - a Gilera 250 and a Honda - guarded the coffin while his helmet with the number 58 was placed above the casket.

Red balloons with the number 58 were released outside the church and there were numerous banners.

One read: 'Sic -58- you will remain always in our hearts.'

Icon: Young riders wait for Simoncelli's coffin to pass

Rossi took Simoncelli's Honda out of the church with Simoncelli's coffin, carried by his friends, right behind it as fans applauded outside the church.

The Italian's death was the first fatality in the MotoGP since Japan's Daijiro Katoh died from injuries sustained at the 2003 Japanese Grand Prix.

Respect: Simoncelli's coffin is surrounded outside the church

Goodbye: Simoncelli's coffin is carried, while his girlfriend Kate Fretti (right) watches on.