Tributes continue to pour after the terrible three-bike crash on the second lap of the Malaysian MotoGP on Sunday where Italian racer Marco Simoncelli, 24, died.

Rome / NationalTurk – Italian Simoncelli was killed in a crash at the Malaysian Grand Prix on Sunday – exactly a week after British star Dan Wheldon died at the IndyCar 300 in Las Vegas.

Marco Simoncelli lost control of his Honda on the second lap of the Malaysian MotoGP and was hit by the Colin Edwards’ Yamaha and the Ducati of Valentino Rossi as he slid across the track. His helmet was knocked off in the crash, Colin Edwards went over the top and dislocated his shoulder, while Rossi stayed on and was able to get his damaged Ducati back to the pits. The season’s penultimate race was immediately red-flagged and then cancelled.

Marco Simoncelli Crash: The death of a friend of so many

Seven-times World champion Valentino Rossi, who was in tears in the pits, later described his fellow Italian as a ‘younger brother’. Valentino Rossi took to Twitter to express his sorrow at the death of his friend, who he referred to using Simoncelli’s popular nickname, Sic.

‘For me Sic was like a younger brother, as tough on the track as he was gentle in life,said Rossi. I still can’t believe it, I miss him so much.’ Rossi’s Ducati team described Marco Simoncelli as one of their own.

Italy mourns over the death of  Marco Simoncelli  the ‘Sic’

All sports events taking place in Italy on Sunday observed a minute’s silence in honour of Simoncelli.

Marco Simoncelli was a big fan of soccer club AC Milan, who released a statement offering their condolences and wore black armbands in their win over Lecce. ‘AC Milan offers an embrace to the family of Marco, a huge Rossonero fan, and we want to offer the most sincere and heartfelt condolences in this sad moment.’

Inter Milan added: “Club president Massimo Moratti and everyone at Inter Milan, together with coach Claudio Ranieri and the team, shares in the pain of the motorsport world and indeed the sports world for the loss of Marco Simoncelli.

‘Remembering a young and passionate champion, Inter offers a hug to the family and friends of Marco Simoncelli.’

Inter fans unveiled a banner ahead of their match against Chievo that read: “There’s a new star in the sky.”

Italian Olympic Committee (Coni) president Gianni Petrucci said: “The tragic death of Marco Simoncelli has left me profoundly upset. Today we’re all in tears for him and we gather around his family who are crying over the death of a champion.

“It’s an inconceivable death that has left the whole of Italian sport dumbfounded.”

Marco Simoncelli Crash to be investigated

The Sepang circuit will take a hard look at safety after the Simoncelli’s death but its chairman said on Monday the notoriously tricky track was not to blame in the tragedy.

The Simoncelli tragedy is likely to add fuel to questions being asked about the dangers of racing, and Sepang chairman Mokhzani Mahathir said the track’s first-ever fatality would prompt a new look at safety. Only one week ago Dan Wheldon, a two-time Indianapolis 500 winner died of severe head injuries in a crash on October 16 in USA.

“Sepang race organisers have to re-look at safety from every angle again,” he said.  Mokhzani added the International Motorcycling Federation would investigate the crash. “We will see from the investigation if there is anything we could have done differently,” he said.

The Sepang circuit outside the Malaysian capital Kuala Lumpur is considered a challenging track due to the high heat, humidity, and frequent rain.

However, despite the usual sweltering tropical temperatures, conditions on Sunday were dry. It was not immediately clear what prompted the crash. In footage of the accident, Marco Simoncelli’s bike veers in from outside the frame, with the 24-year-old Italian appearing to be sliding off.

With his head at track level, Marco Simoncelli ploughed into the oncoming front tyres of racers Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi. Despite the tragedy, Sepang, which also hosts the Malaysian F1 Grand Prix and other races, was “a safe track”, Mokhzani added.

“Yesterday’s accident was beyond anybody’s control or expectation.”

Marco Simoncelli’s death occurred on the same day as a memorial service in Indiana for Dan Wheldon, a two-time Indianapolis 500 winner, who died of severe head injuries in a crash on October 16.

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