Simoncelli dies in Sepang crash

Marco Simoncelli's fellow MotoGP riders pay tribute to the Italian

Marco Simoncelli's fellow MotoGP riders have paid tribute to the Italian, who died following a crash during the Malaysian MotoGP in Sepang.

Honda team-mate, world champion Casey Stoner, said: "I'm so shocked and saddened by the loss of Marco.

"When things like this happen it reminds you how precious life is, it makes me feel sick inside."

Simoncelli's compatriot Andrea Dovizioso said: "He seemed invincible. What happened seems impossible."

Dovizioso, and 24-year-old Simoncelli had ridden together in 125cc, 250cc and MotoGP class.

And Dovizioso added: "We raced together since we were kids. I saw him always pushing to the maximum.

"He crashed many times but without major injuries. In these circumstances, words don't seem to be appropriate.

"I think of Marco's family and all the people dear to him, in particular his father and mother. I also have a child and what happened today is the hardest situation you can imagine.

"I watched the images and I'm shocked. In a race you fight and push hard and disaster is often around the corner. Marco was a strong rider and he always pushed hard."

Simoncelli's bike veered across the track at turn 11 of lap two into the path of Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi and his helmet came off in the impact.

Staff at the circuit's medical centre worked hard to resuscitate him but he died at 1656 local time [0956 BST].

Rossi was too upset to comment after the death of Simoncelli, who succumbed to chest, head and neck injuries.

Stoner, who sealed the MotoGP title during the previous round in Australia, said: "All I can say is how sorry I am for Marco's whole family.

"I can't imagine what they are all going through and our thoughts and wishes are with them at this time. I hope they all stay close and pull through this tragedy together."

Fellow Honda racer Dani Pedrosa had a run-in with Simoncelli earlier this season after the Italian broke the Spaniard's collarbone in amanoeuvre deemed dangerous. He said: "Many times we ourselves forget how dangerous this sport can be and, when you lose people on the way, nothing has any meaning.

"It's clear we all do what we like, what we love, but on days like today nothing matters."

Honda worldwide executive vice-president Shuhei Nakamoto said: "Marco was a very nice guy and a very talented rider.

"Sometimes I was a little harsh with him, for example after hisfirst MotoGP podium in Brno when I told him, 'Lucky podium'. He was so angry but I wanted to motivate him as I knew he was able to do even more.

"I was thinking that, when he won his first race, we would have been able to celebrate together.

"Now I just want to say thank you to Marco for what he gave me and to pass my sincere condolences to his family and this very sad time."

Simoncelli's manager Carlo Pernat said: "Marco was a cheery boy, everyone's friend. He had expectations, dreams. He was a boy from days gone by, with a wonderful family who taught him good values. It's terrible, there are no words, everyone's very upset, he could have become world champion one day.

"He had this desire to get to the top, it was really inside him, there was this desire for success because he knew he could have it."

Formula 1 driver Jenson Button said on Twitter: "RIP Marco … Such an exciting talent lost. My thoughts are with his family, friends and everyone involved in MotoGP. Motorsport can be so cruel …"