Marco Simoncelli – Photo Credit: MotoGP.com
On Sunday, a giant of Grand Prix racing left us. Marco Simoncelli tragically passed away at the age of 24 with so much ahead of him. The flamboyant Italian had the world at his feet, and the potential to challenge for victories and championships. Marco was taken from us far too soon, but it’s easy to forget how much he still managed to accomplish in his career. Here we reflect, and celebrate the life and times of Marco Simoncelli.
April 30th 2004: A star is born as Simoncelli (pre-afro) takes his first 125GP victory at Jerez
April 10th 2005: Simoncelli dominated 12 months on to become a two-time winner
October 14th 2006 – ‘Sic’ starred in his rookie 250cc campaign, getting on the front row in Portugal
13th April 2008: The first 250cc podium at Estoril, Bautista and Kallio would push him all season long
June 1st 2008: Simoncelli’s first 250cc win would come, fittingly, on home soil at Mugello
September 27th 2008: Victory in Japan brought the title ever nearer, but Bautista would keep fighting
October 24th 2008: “Super Sic” – Champion of the World
December 2008: Bologna Motor Show – Shoulder to shoulder with the master
May 17th 2009: A rider for all seasons – Simoncelli dominates in the wet at Le Mans
August 30th 2009: One of the sweetest successes of all, the motorsport capital of the world… Indianapolis
October 15th 2009: “Unique” preparation for the Australian GP. Needless to say, he won it!
December 2009: The MotoGP journey begins with a test at Sepang
April 11th 2010: Simoncelli (bottom left) on his way to 11th on debut in Qatar
July 4th 2010: His rookie year wouldn’t be plain sailing, crashing out in Barcelona
October 17th 2010: The paddock really started to take notice after a stunning performance in Australia
November 7th 2010: He wasn’t chasing the big boys any more, now he was racing them
December 2010: With close friend Mattia Pasini – A true racer, whatever the machinery!
March 2nd 2011: The excitement builds as Simoncelli and Aoyama get ready for 2011
April 30th 2011: He certainly had the champion’s attention. A fascinating rivalry was underway
May 15th 2011 – Simoncelli’s aggression had consequences though, injuring Pedrosa at Le Mans
June 4th 2011: The perfect answer to the critics – Marco’s maiden pole in Catalunya
June 25th 2011: A second pole followed at Assen but race day ended with another Lorenzo bust-up
August 14th 2011: Casey Stoner leads the plaudits after Marco’s first MotoGP podium at Brno
October 16th 2011: Marco goes one better, claiming a superb second in Australia
October 22nd 2011: Simoncelli qualifies fifth at Sepang, 24 hours before tragedy struck
Marco Simoncelli: 1987-2011
