Second day started early with some shots of riders arrival at the Sepang International Circuit, followed by morning practice. The afternoon qualifying session saw more actions and crashes in all three classes with Dani Pedrosa hitting turn 15, Ben Spies hitting turn 1, as well as Valentino Rossi. Ben Spies later qualified but decided not to race after receiving concussions from the crash leaving Katsuyuki Nakasuga, the replacement rider for the earlier injured Jorge Lorenzo the only rider for Yamaha Racing.
On race day, it was just like the previous day, early morning to capture the support races, and followed by rider’s arrival. I manage to capture some of riders including Marco Simoncelli unknowingly would be my last photo of him just hours before his tragic death. The rest of the morning was just as usual at Sepang, and came the race period. It started with 125cc, which saw seven crashes into turn 1 and the race was stopped just 1 lap before the final lap. Moto2 went on with not much of an incident. MotoGP class came up next and the race was stopped just after 1 and a half laps due to a horrific crash at turn 11 which involved Marco Simoncelli, Colin Edwards, and Valentino Rossi. I wasn’t at the crash spot, but I was there when the ambulance brought Marco Simoncelli into the Medical Centre where the doctors tried their best to resuscitate him.
About 30 minutes after the incident, the race was officially cancelled and was announced to the crowd which showed their displease and started throwing empty bottles, cans and pizza boxes onto the tracks. After receiving news about the race cancellation, I took a slow walk back to the media centre, and my heart was sunken to see the amount of family, friends and crew waiting for news on Marco’s condition at the medical centre. Minutes later, I saw on the television screen that Marco Simoncelli has succumbed to his injuries. I decided to return to the paddock area to continue shooting for grieving faces at that somber moment. Members of the organizing committee officially announced Marco’s death to the official media in a press conference about 20 minutes later.
I hereby salute the MotoGP photographers and photojournalists who were close friends of Marco Simoncelli and yet could still hold up a camera and do their job at that moment.
Ciao Marco! (1987 – 2011).
Blusens Team Paris Hilton Racing
2011 MotoGP World Champion, Casey Stoner doing a television interview on practice day.
MotoGP legend, Randy Mamola.
Marco Simoncelli’s cheeky arrival on the morning of qualifying day.
Valentino Rossi, walking to his team pit after suiting up in the resting area.
Ben Spies went crashing at turn 1 during qualifying and suffered a concussion. He later continued the qualifying race but announced that he would pull out of the race just to be on the safe side.
Track marshals putting special powders on the tracks after discovering some oil spills just before the MotoGP session. Track checks on qualifying day onwards was more cautious after SIC was fined 15,000 Euros after one track marshal failed to give out a warning flag and caused a rider to crash just the day before.
Two MotoGP fans came in with their modified icebox scooter. They are from Team SOBER (Silly Old Buggers Enjoying Riding).
Dani Pedrosa’s arrival was mobbed by fans asking for autographs and photo opportunities.
Karel Abraham waiving to the photographers and fans as he walks into the pit.
Marco Simoncelli’s arrival on the morning of race day. This photo was taken just hours before his fatal crash.
Valentino Rossi’s arrival on the morning of race day. Despite struggling to secure any pole position and race wins this season, the former 9 times World Champion is still the most loved rider, as he is the only rider that requires 2 security escorts upon arrival.
Photographers waiting at the San Carlo Gressini team pit.
Grieving faces at the paddock area.
Press conference by DORNA announcing Marco Simoncelli’s death.
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