The Italian Motorcycling Federation’s thoughts on Shoya Tomizawa’s death

Controversy is still continuing over the death of Japanese rider Shoya Tomizawa during the San Marino Grand Prix held on the Misano Adriatico racetrack on Sunday September 5th.

The Italian Motorcycling Federation deems it appropriate to express its opinion, although the MotoGP World Championship is organised under the aegis of the International Motorcycling Federation, as is the case with all World Championship disciplines.

Many commentators spoke about the safety of the track and whether it would have been appropriate to stop the competition immediately after the accident.

The Italian Federation believes that the very high safety standards in place at Misano make the track “safe”. The track is homologated according to the rules and in the 2010 season it even hosted to two Italian Speed Championship events, Italy’s highest level of sports motorcycling on track.

Immediately after the accident, the injured rider was quickly moved to a safe area of the track and the paramedics were able to take action within a very short time, providing the most appropriate aid. An ambulance was at any rate ready to take the rider to the track Medical Centre, one of Italy’s most modern and technically advanced facilities. Stopping the race – with the track having been promptly cleared, including all the debris that lay on the asphalt after the accident – would not have made any difference to the riders’ safety on the track. Indeed, it would have just slowed down aid while awaiting the arrival of an equipped ambulance.

“Motorcycling is a dangerous sport”, observed the President of the Italian Federation, Paolo Sesti, “and we must all be aware of it, including those who are not directly involved in motorcycling operations. Constant efforts are being made to improve safety during competitions, and outstanding results have been achieved.

“Major actions have been taken over the years, including changes to the track layout, such as the enlargement of escape areas, changes to the curb profile, laying ‘artificial grass’ along the curbs. I should therefore like to express my total appreciation and sympathy to the Management of the Racing Circuit and all medical personnel and competition officials. The accident was handled in an exemplary fashion and as prescribed.

“It is of no use to continue to be angry about bad luck, for a respectful silence greeting the departed rider would be more appropriate.”