Thousands of fans united with the friends, family and colleagues of Marco Simoncelli as the rider’s funeral was held in Italy on Thursday afternoon. The 24-year-old lost his life in Sunday’s Malaysian MotoGP, having fallen from his bike and been struck by Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi, who were unable to avoid him.
The service took place at the Santa Maria Assunta church in Coriano, Simoncelli’s hometown where he will also be buried. In attendance from 3pm were father Paolo, mother Rosella, sister Martina and girlfriend Kate, as well as MotoGP names such as Valentino Rossi, Raffaele De Rosa, Chaz Davies, Mattia Pasini, Manuel Poggiali, Jorge Lorenzo, Andrea Dovizioso, Randy de Puniet, Loris Capirossi, Hiroshi Aoyama, Alex de Angelis, Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta and FIM President Vito Ippolito.
Simoncelli’s coffin was carried by friends and Gresini team members, flanked by his Gilera bike – on which he won the 2008 250cc title – and Honda RC212V, this year’s machine. The ceremony was broadcast on a big screen outside the church, with another in position at the nearby Misano circuit, where hoards of fans also gathered.
Before the service began, footage was shown of the amusing and charismatic Italian.
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