Back in 1987, Marco ‘Supersic’ Simoncelli made his way in to the world on this day in Cattolica, Italy. Seven years later he was racing minibikes, winning the Italian Minimoto Championship in 1999. By 2001 he’d moved up to the Italian 125cc Championship and won it in his rookie year.
In 2004 Marco claimed his first win in the 125cc GP World Championship. By 2008 he’d move up to the 250cc class and took the crown to become a world champion.
In 2010 he joined the top class, coming 8th overall that year. He started 2011 with a factory Honda in the Gresini team. In October, a crash at the Malaysia circuit involving Colin Edwards and Simoncelli’s close friend, Valentino Rossi, ended his career and his life.
The loss triggered Rossi to create his VR46 Academy to mentor Italian riders.
20,000 people attended the funeral, which was broadcast live on Italian national television.
Ciao Marco.
