Tomizawa dies in Moto2 accident

By John Hopkins
with files from motogp.com

Japanese rider Shoya Tomizawa died as a result of injuries sustained in a crash during the Moto2 World Championship race at the Misano World Circuit on Sunday.

The 19-year-old was battling with Scott Redding and Alex de Angelis on lap 12 of the race when he fell and was struck by the bikes of Redding and de Angelis.

Tomizawa was treated at the track's medical centre and put under artifical respiration. He was then taken to the Riccione hospital where he later succumbed to cranial, thoracic and abdominal injuries.

“We are very saddened by this news and our thoughts of course are now with Shoya’s family and friends," said Shuhei Nakamoto, Vice-President, Honda Racing Corporation. "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…”

Tomizawa, from Chiba, 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.

The seventeen-year-old Redding received immediate treatment at the circuit medical centre, where he was administered 10 stitches to a laceration on his back. De Angelis was not hurt in the crash.