NEWS // TOMIZAWA FATALLY INJURED DURING MOTO 2 RACE

MotoGP suffered its second tragedy in as many weeks with the death of Moto2 rider Shoya Tomizawa. Tomizawa will forever be enshrined in motorcycling history as the first-ever winner of a Moto2 class race after he took a commanding victory at the opening round in Qatar back in April. He was only 19 years old... [read more]

Tomizawa, on lap 12, fell coming out of turn 10 and was hit by Alex DeAngelis and Scott Redding at high speed. His body just spun limp on the track. Shoya was initially reported to be in a coma, but near the end of the MotoGP race word came through announcing his death, the riders only getting the news after the race finish. Podium ceremonies were very muted, the flags were at half-mast and there was no champagne. You could see the sadness etched in the faces of Pedrosa, Lorenzo and Rossi.

Tomizawa was the rider all the Japanese journalists pointed to as the one to watch over the next few years. His riding had the aggression of a 19-year-old but his bike control was that of a much older rider. Shoya was more importantly a favorite among his fellow riders and MotoGP journalists. Last week, after being taken out at the beginning of the race and obviously in pain, Shoya still managed a smile and a wave to the camera. His agreeable disposition seemed impossible to spoil. Instead of looking for the crash footage, please seek out video of him on the podium in Qatar. He was in tears and it was really sweet. He’s much better remembered like that.

The outpouring of grief and memorials from the entire MotoGP paddock leave no doubt that Shoya Tomizawa was not only respected as a racer but also held in high esteem personally. Sincere condolences go out to his family and friends.

Image: MotoGP
Editorial: Jeff Winterberg