RIP Marco Simoncelli - 1987 - 2011

Sunday the 23rd of October 2011 is a day I will never forget. One of the greatest upcoming talents within Moto GP Marco Simoncelli was involved within a fatal incident at the Sepang International Circuit. The incident occurred due to Simoncelli's bike losing traction on lap two in turn eleven and began to slide towards the gravel trap. However being the out and out racer Marco was he tried to correct himself and stay on the bike, unfortunately the tyres regained traction and resulted in Marco and his bike veering towards the middle of the track into the path of Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi who could do nothing to avoid the horrific accident that resulted in the passing of Marco Simoncelli.

Marco's larger than life character both on and off the track led to a huge following. I don't think anyone would argue that next season on the factory RC213V Honda he would of been challenging the likes of Stoner, Lorenzo and Pedrosa for the title and would of been a future world champion. His natural charisma added something extra to the pitlane and is something we have not seen since the emergence of Valentino Rossi.

His achievements included two podiums and two pole positions in Moto GP, one podium in World Superbikes, one World Championship, twelve wins and twenty two podiums in the 250cc World Championship, two wins and seven podiums in the125cc World Championship, European Minimoto Champion, double Italian Minmoto Champion.

The Italian's aggressive and often controversial style led to some high profile incidents with rival riders including Hector Barbara, Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa. Following the crash with Pedrosa at the French Grand Prix which resulted in Pedrosa breaking his collarbone Marco accepted that he needed to reflect on his riding style and at times be more cautious. After being warned about his aggression by race direction prior to the Grand Prix at Catalonia Marco went out and claimed his first pole position posting a qualifying time of 1 Minute 42.413 Seconds. But an unfortunate start saw him drop back to seventh, he managed to recover one place and finish sixth. The Czech Grand Prix at Brno saw Marco claim his first podium in Moto GP qualifying fifth and battling through the field past Jorge Lorenzo and Ben Spies to finish third. Following Brno Marco continued his good run of form punching above his weight on the works bike and finishing fourth in three of the next four Grand Prix's. Then came his best finish in Moto GP claiming second following an epic battle with Andrea Dovizioso, he overtook the factory Honda rider on the final lap to finish behind the newly crowned World Champion Casey Stoner at the Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island.

The death of Marco Simoncelli was another tragic blow for the world of motorsport only a week after the passing of Dan Wheldon. It hasn't quite sunk in yet that we will never see the number 58 bike flying round the track riding as Jorge said "like he was on a PlayStation console" I just wish in this case that there was a restart race option. My thoughts are now with his Family, Friends, Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi.

Ciao Super Sic you will be missed