RIP Marco Simoncelli

bojuhl said:

I am well'n up.

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Wayne's World: RIP, Marco!

Wayne Gardner's thoughts on the passing of Simoncelli​

By: Wayne Gardner



REST EASY MARCO
What an absolute shock! I just can’t believe that we’ve lost Marco Simoncelli in what seemed like the blink of an eye. I only met him for the first time last week at Phillip Island, where he was so kind to my sons, who were excited to finally meet their racing hero. He immediately struck me as a wonderful person, full of life and passion, truly a larger-than-life character. The funny thing was, while we were all eager to get our pictures taken with him, he was also keen to have his picture taken with me, which at the time thought was a really nice gesture. Now he’s gone. Like everyone else, I watched it all unfold live on TV and just couldn’t believe it. We all know that racing is dangerous and that these types of things can happen, but it’s still a massive shock when they do.
 


At this point, Toni, the boys, and myself simply want to extend our deepest condolences and thoughts to Marco’s family, friends, and team. I also want to extend my sincerest sympathies to Colin and Valentino. They will be absolutely gutted and racked with a huge amount of guilt. Having been involved in a similar incident with Franco Uncini many, many yeas ago, I have a pretty good idea about how they’ll be feeling. But it simply wasn’t their fault. There’s nothing they could have done. Both will be replaying the event in their mind over and over again, wondering if they could have veered to the left, the right, braked harder. But while a small consolation, the TV footage of the accident - now and in the years to come - will show them they had absolutely no time to avoid the collision. It was, sadly, just a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time.
 


UNFORESEEABLE CIRCUMSTANCES
 The accident that claimed Marco’s life was freakish in the extreme. I’ve never seen anything like it in all my years associated with racing. The start of the incident isn’t entirely clear as it happened off camera. All we saw was his bike veering violently to the right and into the path of Colin and Vale. I think he must have initially lost the front, only to have the tires somehow grip again and launch him straight across the track.
 
You know, a lot of people and media have been asking me over the past 12-hours if this sport is too dangerous. The honest answer is that, yes, to a certain extent, it is. And if fans and TV executives are honest, they’ll know that danger is part of the appeal and excitement. For the riders themselves, the adrenalin-charged thrill of being on the edge is also a huge part of why they race. Of course, we’re talking very high speeds and when things go wrong the consequences can be disastrous.
 
But at the same time we need to put things into perspective. Other sports (like horse riding, rock fishing, football, cycling, skydiving) are also dangerous. Even simply driving on the roads is dangerous.

As for MotoGP, everyone involved knows the risks, and extreme measures are taken to ensure a high degree of rider safety. Things like track run-off, protective riding gear, and onsite medical facilities are all first rate, while the skills of the actual riders themselves is staggering. Yet sometimes we simply have to acknowledge that the worst can sometimes occur. Yesterday’s dreadful tragedy was one such time. And while no words can ever make up for such a loss, I’ll be choosing to remember Marco for what he was: an exciting, enthusiastic, entertaining, talented, fearless competitor. And, I think it’s fair to say, a great bloke.

​

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Álvaro’s column, Malaysia: In Valencia we’ll ride for you, Marco

Posted on 25 October 2011



AS has published Álvaro’s latest column today, following the fatal crash of long-time rival Marco Simoncelli at the Malaysian Grand Prix last weekend. Álvaro wrote an open letter to Marco and, as he tweeted prior to the publication, it was by far the most difficult column he ever had to write.
Below you find the complete translation.





Dear Marco: I don’t know how to begin, it is difficult to say anything after such a tough weekend for the followers of motorcycle racing. Everything that’s happened in Sepang, the thrilling 125cc race with Nico Terol very close to claiming the title, the absence of Marc Marquez in Moto2 and leaving the championship for Bradl to take, the injuries of other riders who I wish a speedy recovery, the good feeling I had in practice and then in the race I could have ended up with a good result… Everything was overshadowed by your accident.



Your passion. You and I know that there is a a lot of risk in this sport and that, fortunately, safety is getting better. But sometimes things like this happen and it’s really when people realize that this is not a game and we play with our lives here. I will not tell you how those moments were in the paddock when we heard the news, because I think we’ve already cried and suffered a lot. I think we should remember you as someone who died doing what he loved, what all the riders love the most. Riding a bike.



Direct rival. I had the opportunity to be one of your rivals in the 250cc class, where we had many fights. You’ve always been a very controversial rider on the track, going very close to the limit and sometimes over it, but always giving a show, giving the spectators reasons to fall in love with racing. And if you were peculiar on the track, off it you couldn’t go unnoticed; with that hair like Jimi Hendrix, with that lax style of walking, that peculiar voice speaking an Italian funny to listen to.



Championship leader. 2008 was your great year, you spent two seasons in the 250cc class without getting a single podium, but that year changed everything, you started to get on the rostrum regularly, winning races and like it wasn’t a big deal you took over the lead in the championship with a good advantage. We had many fights in the races, with touches and off-track excursions. At the end you won the championship, at the same Sepang International Circuit. The following year we even spent some time at Race Direction now and then to review controversial actions, do you remember? Honestly, my relationship with you off the track changed and we hardly exchanged a word. But this year everything was different. Unfortunately or fortunately because of the situation in Japan, the riders had many meetings and this made us more united, we returned to a good relationship like we had before. You know you’ve been a great rider who was always on the limit, always enjoying what you were doing, always giving your best, always fighting. Even in your last lap on the circuit, when again I was with you, you did not stop fighting, it has always been difficult to pass you, you never let anyone twist your arm and always resisted or stayed inside or outside the racing line to avoid losing your position. On that last lap we passed each other six times in just two corners. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I know you did too, as we always did in a fight like this one.



In the paddock. Then, the circuit that had given you your best moment in life took it away from you. At the Sepang International Circuit (SIC) you left us. How strange will it be to walk through the paddock not seeing you… But your memory will always be with us, we will never forget you and you will be sorely missed. But I am convinced that wherever you are, you will also follow us.



To your loved ones. I’m about to say goodbye, because I have a lot inside, but it is very difficult to write it down in these moments. I want to send your family, your girlfriend Kate, your friends, mechanics, the people on your team and your fans my most sincere and heartfelt condolences. And I tell you that at the next race in Valencia everyone who goes to the track, which will surely be many, will go there for you. In your memory. We will race for you. We dedicate this to you. Because you’ll always be in our hearts.

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lot of people and media have been asking me over the past 12-hours if this sport is too dangerous. The honest answer is that, yes, to a certain extent, it is. And if fans and TV executives are honest, they’ll know that danger is part of the appeal and excitement

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Jumkie said:

Tear dropper ahead:



I couldn't help but notice how Alvaro is talking like if Sic was still there, and even updating him on the Moto2 results. Very honest and genuine, like most of the thought by many here. I highlighted the parts that touched me, they may be different for you.



(Lil red rocket, I thought about you in the last lines of Alvaro's thoughts).

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" This is a letter written by Dr. Costa of the mobile clinic...



By Isle of Man Dreamers · Updated on Monday



The Victory of Marco.



At the dusk of this pain filled Sunday, my dream would desperately wish that a small fragment of a star named Marco Simoncelli were not blown away.



Cruel fate, why do you threaten my dream? What can I hope for? And hope to do what, beyond the tears for that lost childhood and beyond the naked anguish of pain, increasingly unbearable because it makes me feel helpless and guilty for not having held you tight in my arms? Nothing.

When fate knocks at our door we experience the terrible feeling of being powerless.



The young champion named Marco walked away into the sunset of Malaysia and his departure was the noise of life, the joyful noise that Marco has always given us.



The same noise of the interview that Mark released me at Mugello in July while being massaged by his trusted physiotherapist.



That day, at the beginning of the interview, I would have wanted to speak to an ancient knight, but he told me: "Diobò! (Good God!) I'm just a simple guy with lots of hair, liked by many, loved by his girlfriend and his parents. "



The massage continues, his skin is caressed by expert hands that glide over his athletic body and I move away a little with respect for the ritual.



With emotion I will write the conclusion of the interview that I carried out that day. It is for the book I'm writing and with all my love I will dedicate to him. Here are the final questions.



Dottor Costa: "What do you think of pain?"

Marco: "I don’t like it. But I put up with it. There’s no use in complaining. I bear it in silence. Diobò! That’s the best way. "

Dottor Costa: "What do you think of the soul’s pain?"

Mark: "It's ugly, so ugly, but after the discomfort that comes from this bad thing, I feel a renewed energy. I feel better, and I ride my bike better! "

Dottor Costa: "And when you race, against who are you racing?"

Marco: "I would say to beat others. No nonsense, I don’t want to be left behind! But if I think about it, I could tell you that I race because when I do I’m overcome by a unique sensation! I don’t know how to explain it, but it is something special, hidden deep down inside of me. "

Dottor Costa: "Why do you have long hair?"

Marco: "I like it, it doesn’t make me feel normal, it makes me feel special, it makes me feel myself, unique."

Dottor Costa: "Do you feel lonely?"

Marco: "No! No! There's my family, my girlfriend, my friends who enjoy my successes, there is the mobile clinic that helps me in difficult moments. I can feel there is so much love around me, so much goodness that warms me. "



The massage is finished, the interview is over.



His father Paul and the pretty girlfriend have listened in very pleased. With a caress, I thank one of my favorite drivers and tell him about a thought of mine...:

"When you fell during this championship and you fell many times, you reaped a lot of criticism, evil judgments, injustice, envy.

Many even presumed to teach you to ride a bike. Some even strongly advised me to tell you to be more calm, more cautious!

Do you remember instead what I told you?

I told you that most people, barking against humanity, have forgotten, perhaps because they are unable to remember, when THEY started to walk.

One falls, and then one gets up, and falls again, and gets up again and often falls down once more. All this is accompanied by a mother's patient smile that comforts us and encourages us to persevere, with no hint of reproach.

Then we all learned to walk quickly, but only few of us have managed to take the path that leads to the heights of life, because the climb was too difficult and tiring. But why blame them? Are they not already severely punished by their failure?

But you, dear Marco, not only will you climb the steps to the summit of life, but also those of the podium, where the prize will not be a cup, but the acknowledgement of your strength, of having been able to look death in the face and defeated it! "



Now my prophecy has come true.

You have climbed onto the podium of Czechoslovakia and Australia. Today in Malaysia you have looked into the face of Death. And while it was wrapping its black cloak around you, you told him: "Diobò, but can’t you see that I’m not human? because I am my dreams and my talent is the bread of the gods that you will never be able to touch? Do not you realize that you only steal my body? On the contrary, my smile, my goodness, my good nature will remain forever in the hearts of everyone. Forever. Can you not see that in the checkmate I have dealt you, my tears are about to be turned into rapture?

It will take some time, but I strongly believe in this miracle, especially for my family and my girlfriend. This is my Victory in the Malaysian Grand Prix, even if it lasted two laps. "



In sport, whoever chases his dreams, while simultaneously pursuing his tragedy, leaves the world of mankind to enter the world of the divine. Cruel, violent, but divine nevertheless!



And whoever dies while pursuing a dream, smiles at death and that smile erases all trace of violence.



A mountaineer smiles at the dizziness of height, a deep sea diver smiles at the restlessness of the abyss, a biker smiles at the intoxication of speed.

Sport is a stage where the body and mind are celebrating their power at that time of life called youth.

In Motorcycling, the action of the pilot is enhanced by the risk, and on the gray asphalt, life is separated from death by a very thin thread.

A slight boundary drawn by danger, where life, while seeking victory, pushes itself beyond the thrill of its excess.



Today, Marco, you felt that thrill. I love you. And I will never forget you.



claudio marcello costa, mobile clinic.

(deliberately written in small letters.)

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by Nico Cereghini



Only silence, I believe, can be an appropriate comment for the tragedy that took Marco Simoncelli away from us. But, even in these moments that are so harsh for those that loved him, words must be found because Marco belonged to all of us, he was either the brother, the cousin or the best friend of all of us. And so it becomes necessary to remember him for what he was: a passionate and enthusiastic young lad, a twentyfour year-old “romagnolo” raised on bread and motors. On top of all that, he was also the true Italian talent in motorcycle riding. It will be difficult to face the fact that we won't see his exaggerated hair-do in the paddocks, that we won't hear his impromptu “Dio bo”s, we won't spot his tall silhouette and his typical crooked swagger. It's a loss that we will only begin to realize and maybe, understand, in the next few months. We will sympathize even more with his family: his sister Martina, his mum and dad, his girlfriend Kate. All of them loved him very much and lost him Sunday in Sepang

It was the second lap, Marco started from the second row with his usual enthusiasm, fighting off Bautista for fourth place. After Phillip Island's second place, just seven days earlier, he was positive he hadn't given his best in the trial runs and wanted to prove his value. His Honda slowly slipped from underneath him, almost in slow-motion. He tried to keep his bike upright, first with his knee and then with his elbow, to no avail. Why did bike number 58 not leave the track immediately, clearing away from other incoming riders? It was a combination of tragic events: the tyres kept some grip, if he was still accelerating maybe the electronics kept on pushing the rear wheel and because Marco himself was dragging across the track he became a third point of contact. Neither Colin nor Valentino had the time to react: the dynamics of the accident where too fast, the invasion of their path way too sudden.

The images are terrifying. After the crash, Simoncelli was left bare headed, the helmet ripped away by the strength of a front wheel, maybe even Valentino’s, after Colin ran over his back. So violent the impact that his chin strap was ripped.

We can only hope that Marco didn’t realize any of this, that everything was so fast that he passed directly from the scare of a fall to utter darkness. Without awareness and without pain. One thing does comfort us though: we are sure Marco was doing what he most loved and nothing else would have ever stopped him from doing it.

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chopperman said:

Speak for yourself Wayne. I dont watch because of the danger, sure i know motorsport is dangrous but the amount of crashes we see and the riders walk away or have just a broken bone i tend to forget that lives are on the line. I watch because i enjoy the cat and mouse chase and technical passes. Take Nakano's crash at mugello in 06. 200+ mph crash and he gets up un hurt. Races like the last tragic event is an unpleasent reminder of the real danger but not the reason i watch.



I know its nieve but i almost expect riders to walk away these days because they usually do.

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Jumkie said:

Not sure if its been posted, my apologies if it has. (Again, I highlighted the parts that appealed to me, it may be different for you.)



http://www.facebook....84549199&type=3

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Jumkie said:

Tear dropper ahead:



I couldn't help but notice how Alvaro is talking like if Sic was still there, and even updating him on the Moto2 results. Very honest and genuine, like most of the thought by many here. I highlighted the parts that touched me, they may be different for you.



(Lil red rocket, I thought about you in the last lines of Alvaro's thoughts).

Click to expand...

Jumkie said:

Tear dropper ahead:



I couldn't help but notice how Alvaro is talking like if Sic was still there, and even updating him on the Moto2 results. Very honest and genuine, like most of the thought by many here. I highlighted the parts that touched me, they may be different for you.



(Lil red rocket, I thought about you in the last lines of Alvaro's thoughts).

Click to expand...