MotoGP pays tribute to Shoya Tomizawa

The MotoGP world has paid tribute to Shoya Tomizawa after the Japanese rider was fatally injured in a crash during Sunday’s Misano Moto2 race.

He was fighting for his first podium finish since the second round of the championship in Jerez when he crashed out on lap 12.

Tomizawa was then hit by Alex de Angelis and Scott Redding, who both fell heavily in the incident.

The 19-year-old died of head, chest and abdominal injuries in a local hospital.
Tomizawa had created history back in April when he won the first ever Moto2 race in Qatar.

As news of his death stunned the MotoGP paddock, tributes to the bright young star starting to flood in.

Valentino Rossi
“I’m so sorry for Shoya because he was a strong rider but above all he was very ‘sympatico.’ He was very funny, always smiling and he always had nice things to say to everyone. He was also very young with a great career ahead of him so we are all very sad.”

Jorge Lorenzo
“I don’t have many words for the race on such a sad say. It’s a huge pity because he was a good guy and a strong rider. I am so sad and I just want to say how sorry I am for his family and his friends. When this happens nothing else matters.”

Casey Stoner
“I am deeply saddened for Tomizawa, his family and everybody who worked with him. It is something truly terrible and it left me breathless, like a week ago. It was a pleasure to watch him ride and I was looking forward to see him have a great career.”

Nicky Hayden
“I am really sad, we have lost two riders in two weekends. My thoughts are with his family and his team but I think the whole paddock has been hit hard by this tragedy. At the end of the day we are all brothers here. We have lost a talented kid with a great personality. I loved his style, his determination and the smile he always wore.”

Andrea Dovizioso
“My thoughts are with Shoya Tomizawa. I was informed after the race and the news is like a slap in the face. Two tragic accidents in two races is so terrible and it reminds us how dangerous is our job. The safety commission has improved safety levels so much that we often forget this aspect.

“I’m so sorry for Tomizawa’s family. Having become a father I can understand that this is the worst thing that can happen for a family. Unfortunately we couldn’t do anything: these were two casualties, two accidents with a similar dynamic where the track-side barriers were not touched. This can happen and this is why our job is so risky.”

Hector Barbera
“I am speechless. I was told about it as soon as I got off the bike, and it is very difficult to take something like that in. Today’s result doesn’t really matter anymore. Shoya was a great rider who always gave his all on the bike.

“He was also a great person who was always smiling and with whom I got on well. I want to send my thoughts to his family and friends.”