Tears for Tomizawa as death comes to Misano | Thebigtip

The flags flew at half-mast on the San Marino podium on Sunday, as the motor racing fraternity learned that 19-year-old Moto 2 rider Shoya Tomizawa had died.

The tragic Japanese youngster was just ahead of Alex de Angelis and Scott Redding in the race when he fell from his bike.  Neither the Italian nor the Brit could swerve in time to avoid him.

After initial treatment at Misano circuit's medical centre, Tomizawa was taken to the Riccione Hospital. But his internal injuries proved too much; and at 14.20 local time, his young life slipped away.

Dani Pedrosa, Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi, the respective top three Premier class finishers, went through the motions of a sombre podium celebration, notably omitting the champagne as they stood, heads bowed, in memory of a promising young rider whose untimely death had shaken them all. 

In the ensuing press conference, the traces of tears were evident on all three faces; and race winner Pedrosa echoed everyone’s thoughts by voicing the general feeling of what could only be described as emptiness within him.

The Spaniard solemnly continued: “I hope we don’t have any more [such incidents] for the rest of our lives, that we can [still] enjoy the sport and that we can keep on going.”

And Valentino Rossi, while pleased at having made the podium just months after breaking his leg at Mugello, shared his own fitting sentiments in light of the heart-wrenching circumstances. The nine-time champion said: “When these things happen, all the rest becomes nothing.

“Shoya was a very funny guy; a strong rider.  Everybody [here] is very sorry.”

And so the MotoGP circus will press on to the next round in Aragon in two weeks’ time, but the black shadow cast by Tomizawa’s death will loom for some time to come. He was more than just a number making up the grid: he was a highly competent athlete, and a dear friend to so many in the paddock. 

The grisly dangers of motor racing will be at the forefront of every rider’s mind now, and it is only to be hoped that incidents of this kind are not a regular occurrence. Deepest condolences are with Shoya Tomizawa’s family and friends at this deeply saddening time.