Any grand prix season that ends without any serious crash injuries merits a sigh of relief. Thankfully, that means most of them – nowdays thanks to the active safety of ever-improving rider gear and the passive safety of Dorna’s insistence that circuits are sufficiently safe, in terms of run-off, protected barriers, and so on. Thankfully again, 2024 was one such season. Motorcycle racing is intrinsically dangerous and surviving intact is a matter of getting away with it, time and time again. Because there is one kind of crash – fallen riders hit by other bikes – when only luck determines the outcome. MotoGP came close twice over the past two seasons. In 2024, it was at Sepang, and the hair’s-breadth escapee was Jack Miller, knocked off under the wheels of the pack. His helmet was grabbed by the back wheel of Fabio Quartararo’s fallen Yamaha, which made a good attempt at pulling his head off, “then (Joan)Mir used his legs as a double jump”. By a small miracle, Jack was able to walk away. In 2023 it was Pecco Bagnaia, leading a tight pack when he flipped over the high-side in Catalunya. He was also run over, by Brad Binder. […]
Motorsport is grieving the heartbreaking loss of former MotoGP rider Luca Salvadori, who tragically passed away during the final round of the International Road Racing Championship (IRRC) in Germany. Salvadori, known for his dedication and deep passion for the sport, sustained fatal injuries in a multi-rider crash during the SBK/STK 1000 race, leaving the racing community in shock and sorrow. The accident occurred at the end of the first lap when German rider Didier Grams crashed on a fast bend, sparking a chain reaction of collisions that involved Luca Salvadori. Despite the rapid response of emergency services and Salvadori being swiftly transported to the hospital, he tragically succumbed to his injuries. The racing community and his many fans have been profoundly shaken by Salvadori’s passing. Renowned for his passion and talent on the track, Salvadori had recently transitioned to road racing after competing in MotoE. Alongside his motorcycle racing career, he also competed in the Italian Superbike Championship. The Italian rider was a seasoned competitor in the racing world, having competed in the World Supersport Championship, and the National Trophy. He also took part in prestigious events like WDW Misano, where he shared the track with MotoGP legends such as Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez. At […]
