Celebrated Italian rider Marco Simoncelli died on Sunday after a horror crash that saw the Malaysian MotoGP at Sepang cancelled, in the latest tragedy to hit motor sports. The smash occurred just minutes after the race began, when the mop-haired 24-year-old Honda rider lost control and veered across the track into the path of riders Colin Edwards and Simoncelli's compatriot Valentino Rossi.
Simoncelli, who ironically enjoyed his finest hour at Sepang when he clinched the 2008 season's 250cc title here, had his helmet knocked off in the collision, which left him face down and motionless on the asphalt.
He suffered "very serious trauma to the head, neck and the chest" and later went into cardiac arrest, MotoGP medical director Michele Macchiagodena told reporters.
"Despite their (doctors') efforts, Marco sadly succumbed to his injuries at 4:56pm local time (0856 GMT)," MotoGP said in a sombre statement. "Everybody involved in MotoGP extends its deepest condolences to Marco's family, friends and team at this tragic loss." A distraught world champion Casey Stoner said he was "shocked and upset".
The race at the Sepang circuit was immediately red-flagged and organisers later announced it had been cancelled.