A fatal crash at the Moscow Raceway during a World Supersport race claimed the life of Italian motorcyclist Andrea Antonelli, it was confirmed today by World Superbike organisers.
The 25-year-old Antonelli crashed his Kawasaki on the first lap due to the wet and rainy conditions, knocking out fellow Italian Lorenzo Zanetti from his Honda.
The medical centre at the course was notified immediately, but due to the severity of Antonelli’s injuries, a helicopter ride to the nearest hospital was deemed unnecessary, and he later died without regaining consciousness.
A red flag was waved, and the Supersport race was postponed until the afternoon. After Marco Melandri beat Chaz Davies in the first World Superbike race of the day, the afternoon race was called off due to weather. After MotoGP rider Marco Simoncelli was killed at the 2011 Malaysian Grand Prix in Sepang, this is the second Italian death in competition in as many years.
Also Read: Hundreds arrested, thousands of motorbikes seized in street racing crackdown
Dr. Massimo Corbascio, who was one of the doctors who treated Antonelli after his accident, says that the staff at the emergency clinic could do “absolutely nothing” to save his life.
A quote he gave to Gazzetta dello Sport read: “Andrea hit [Yamaha rider Massimo] Roccoli, who was already down. This time Zanetti was travelling at 250 kph and was helpless to avoid him.
He left to spend time with Marco Simoncelli. In a desperate attempt to save Andrea, we rushed to the hospital, but our efforts were fruitless.
After falling in the first race of the British Superbike Championship at his home track of Brands Hatch, Shane Byrne made up for it by winning the second race.
The defending champion maintained a comfortable lead of 21 points in the championship after fending off Milwaukee Yamaha’s James Ellison for the entire 18-lap race.
The Cumbrian rider, having scored no points in the first race, was determined to prevent Byrne from pulling away in the second. Ellison made a move at Stirling’s on the penultimate lap, but Byrne was too strong and closed the door on the Englishman.
Alex Lowes of Samsung Honda finished third to earn his second podium of the weekend and his first rostrum finish.
Also Read: Weight watchers – How much does weight really matter in racing?
