AGV has revealed an updated version of its Marco Simoncelli tribute GP-Tech full-face helmet and a pilot-style visored open-face helmet in the colors of the late motorcycle racer.

The AGV GP-Tech Special Marco Simoncelli Tribute helmet has been restyled to more closely resemble the late MotoGP racer’s helmet. Key changes include the addition of a Dainese logo on top of the helmet shell and a heart graphic in the colors of the Japanese flag Simoncelli had added in memory of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami.

Even more notable, enough to question why it wasn’t done for the original version of the tribute helmet, is Simoncelli’s signature #58. The previous version used the number 1, for some reason. Continue Reading »

Italy’s Misano race track has officially been renamed the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli to honor the late MotoGP racer. Marco Simoncelli, who died in the 2011 Malaysian Grand Prix, was born in Cattolica and grew up in Coriano, a couple of towns near the Misano World Circuit.

The new name was introduced in a press conference ahead of the June 8-10 World Superbike Championship round. Simoncelli’s parents Paolo and Rossella Simoncelli were present for the announcement and the unveiling of the circuit’s new logo which was adapted by Aldo Drudi to incorporate the new name. Continue Reading »

The San Carlo Gresini race team announced it will compete in the 2012 MotoGP World Championship as a Claiming Rules Team with a Honda CBR1000RR engine in an FTR prototype chassis.

The move is a late, but unfortunately necessary change from the team’s original plan to run the factory-level Honda RC213V racebike. The late Marco Simoncelli was tabbed to ride the newest version of Honda’s MotoGP machine next season, but after his tragic death, Gresini had to find another option if it wanted to continue racing.

Newly-signed former Suzuki factory rider Alvaro Bautista took part in last week’s post-season MotoGP test riding the team’s 800cc Honda RC212V. After the test, the team said it would switch to the 1000cc RC213V for the next test session, but with Hiroshi Aoyama and his lucrative Red Bull endorsement gone, Gresini will have to scale back its program if it wants to continue with two entries.

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Earlier in the week, Paolo Simoncelli, father of the late Marco Simoncelli, suggested the MotoGP paddock celebrate his son’s life not with a minute of silence, but with a minute of noise, with all MotoGP bikes revving their engines together this Sunday at 10:30 am local time for the MotoGP season finale in Valencia, Spain.

Moto-journalist Mark Gardiner decided to take that idea a step further and suggests making it a global event with motorcyclists around the world revving their engines for a whole minu- no, even better, for 58 seconds – at 10:30 am in their own time zones, creating a wave of engine noise spreading out from Spain all the way to Hawaii 12 hours later. Continue Reading »

The board of directors for the Misano World Circuit in Rimini, Italy, announced the circuit’s name will become associated with the late Marco Simoncelli. The site of the San Marino Grand Prix and Simoncellli’s home track, the Misano circuit will bear Simoncelli’s name in some fashion, though the official name won’t be announced until after discussing the issue with the Simoncelli family.

“We owe it to the memory of Sic,” says Luca Colaiacovo, circuit president,  “his family, to the hundreds of thousands of fans who admired the courage and humanity, the many personalities from the sports world and media that gave voice to this true and its popular movement, spontaneous and moving. We are so happy and proud to associate the plant with Marco Simoncelli Misano, a champion in sport and in life. “

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Fans, friends, family members and prominent figures from the world of sports attended the funeral services for Marco Simoncelli at the Santa Maria Assunta church in Coriano on Thursday, October 27th.

The casket was carried into the Assunta church by friends and members of the Gresini team, and at 3pm the services commenced. Flanking the casket  was Simoncelli’s 2008 250cc World Championship Gilera bike on one side, and his MotoGP Honda RC212V on the other. Also in attendance was FIM president Vito Ippolito and CEO of Dorna Sports, Carmelo Ezpeleta.

“What I experienced this afternoon in Coriano was very moving,” says Ippolito. “After seeing the turnout of citizens, fans and the whole paddock there is no doubt that a great rider and a brilliant person has left us. The outpouring of affection that has been shown demonstrates that he has left his mark.”

Alongside Marco’s father Paolo, mother Rosella, sister Martina and girlfriend Kate, in attendance were current and former fellow riders including Valentino Rossi, Alex Criville, Raffaele De Rosa, Chaz Davies, Mattia Pasini, Manuel Poggiali, Jorge Lorenzo, Andrea Dovizioso, Randy de Puniet, Loris Capirossi, Toni Elias, Hiroshi Aoyama and Alex de Angelis.

The ceremony was broadcast on a large video screen outside of the church, as well as on an additional large screen installed at the nearby Misano circuit, so that those outside of the church and at the circuit could witness the ceremony. Prior to the services the screens ran footage of the 24 year-old at his charismatic best in the paddock.

Marco Simoncelli: January 20, 1987 – October 23, 1011.

[Source: Gresini Racing]

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The MotoGP World Championship had a lot of compelling storylines going into the 2011 season. Valentino Rossi joining Ducati for an Italian match made in heaven. Jorge Lorenzo defending his title and escaping from Rossi’s shadow. Casey Stoner dominating the pre-season tests after rejoining Honda. The final year for the 800cc machines before the switch to the 1000cc displacement.

After seven rounds however, the biggest story in MotoGP has come from an unexpected source: Marco Simoncelli. With his aggressive style, undeniable ability and out-of-this-world hair, Simoncelli has been a lightning rod for criticism this season. But doesn’t every good story need a villain?

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