by Terry Hibberd
Unfortunately for some people, they remain un-noticed until something tragic happens, these people are shining lights within their disciplines, but away from the supporters they remain largely unknown. Today in unfortunate circumstances Marco Simoncelli became known to the whole sporting world. The charismatic Italian racer tragically lost his life after a horrific crash at the Malaysian MotoGP race at the Sepang circuit.
The Gresini Honda rider appeared to lose control slipping off the inside of his bike before the tyres gripped again, sending him into the path of the advancing Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi, the two riders had nowhere to go and slammed into Simoncelli leaving him laid prostrate on the tarmac with his helmet off. After leaving the track in an ambulance and regaining consiousness, he slipped away due to his injuries.
At just 24 years old Simoncelli was one of the shining lights in the sport, sometimes controversial, always captivating. From the very start he was one to watch, his post race celebrations and outgoing personality drew comparisons to his countryman, Rossi.
After his introduction to the world stage in 2003 few doubted his talent, his will to win and you couldn’t escape his infectious personality. But it wasn’t until his move to the 250cc class in 2006 that he really rose to prominence, his season long battle with Shuhei Aoyama for the rookie of the year title was fantastic to watch on his unfancied Gilera machine. An unspectacular 2007 season where he finished 10th in the 250 championship did little to raise expectations for the following year which catapulted the young man into everyone’s living room after a spectacular end to the Italian 250GP where he appeared to baulk Hector Barbera, leaving the Spaniard nowhere to go and Simoncelli took his first 250cc win in controversial circumstances.
The following week at the Spanish GP, ‘Super Sic’ followed it up with a fantastic win, beating home favourite Alvaro Bautista into second place. Two more wins in Germany and Australia that season left the Italian rider in pole position for the title and a third place finish in Sepang would be enough for Simoncelli to lift his first and only World Title.
He moved up into the ‘Premier Class’ with Gresini Honda in 2010 and even before the first race of the season his hard racing style sent him into the gravel as he struggled to get to grips with the added power of the GP bike, such was the impact he cracked his helmet before coming to a halt in testing. Although from the outside his first season in MotoGP may not have seemed spectacular, he was learning his craft the hard way and many predicted he would come to the forefront in 2011.
This season has arguably been the season of Casey Stoner and Simoncelli. Stoner the regular race winner with the Italian, Simoncelli, returning to the win or bust attitude of old, evoking memories of his 250 win over Barbera some four years earlier. As he went he managed to ruffle a few feathers of the favourites in the class, Dani Pedrosa falling foul of the Italian’s tactics as the two suffered a coming together and Pedrosa coming off the worst, coming off his bike and suffering a broken collorbone. This brought furious reaction from many in the paddock, accusing Simoncelli of being dangerous and he did receive warnings from Race Direction for his future conduct, however, others saw it as a racing incident.
Rather than change his style, Simoncelli upped his game securing his first pole position beating champion elect,Stoner, into second place on the grid.
Although a win eluded him in MotoGP, he fought so hard in every race, people questioned whether he had the right attitude to finally get that win. Regular podium finishes were no doubt within his grasp and the moneymen within the sport knew that too, with Honda giving him the opportunity to ride a factory bike next season with his Gresini team, something which he was relishing the prospect of.
Marco was a real racer, a man’s racer, he divided opinion in and out of the paddock and with fans alike. Was he aggressive or just over exuberant? One thing you cannot deny was his talent, people like Marco come along once in a lifetime. His passing will rock the sport more than anyone can imagine.
Rest In Peace, Marco Simoncelli #58
