Honda Motor Co. Ltd and Honda Racing Corporation would like to express their great sadness at the passing away of Shoya Tomizawa following an accident in today’s San Marino Grand Prix.
Tomizawa crashed on the 12th lap of the Moto2 race. The Japanese rider was immediately treated at trackside, then at the circuit medical centre and then at Riccione hospital. Numerous attempts were made to resuscitate him but at 14.20hrs he succumbed to cranial, thoracic and abdominal trauma.
Both Honda Motor Co. Ltd and Honda Racing Corporation would like to extend their deepest condolences to Tomizawa’s family and friends.
Nineteen-year-old Tomizawa, from Chiba, was a very popular rider in the MotoGP paddock, known for his sunny smile and determination on the racetrack. He made his Grand Prix debut at Motegi in the 125 class in 2006. In 2008 he took the runner-up spot in the 250 All-Japan Championship. He became a full-time GP rider last season, taking 17th place in the 250 World Championship. This year he moved into the new Moto2 series and made history by winning the opening round.
Shuhei Nakamoto, Vice-President, Honda Racing Corporation
“We are very saddened by this news and our thoughts of course are now with Shoya’s family and friends. He was at the start of his Grand Prix career and today we have lost fine young rider and a talent for the future. Shoya had fighting spirit, we will all miss him very much…”
Source: http://www.motogp.com