Marco Simoncelli - MotoGP Racing

Marco Simoncelli

A top rider in the Italian Minimoto Championship from 1996 to 2000, Simoncelli moved to 125cc bikes after taking two consecutive titles. Marco took the European 125cc title in 2002 and had his first taste of Grand Prix racing the same year. In 2003 he undertook his first full season in the World Championship with the Matteoni Racing team. A consistent point-scorer in his rookie season, he moved to the Rauch Bravo team in 2004 and scored his first Grand Prix win at a rain-soaked Jerez, but could only manage an 11th placed finish overall.

Another 125cc campaign in 2005, with the Nocable.it Race team saw him improve his final standing to fifth overall, giving Simoncelli the opportunity to step up to 250cc in 2006. A steady season saw the Italian achieve tenth position in the championship representing Metis Gilera, with whom he continued in 2007 and 2008.

In 2008 a reduction in his number of crashes led to him becoming a standout rider in the class. The Italian secured his fifth win of the year at Phillip Island early in October and clinched the 250cc title with third place at Malaysia at the final race of the year.

In 2009, still in the quarter liter class , Simoncelli pushed eventual winner Hiroshi Aoyama all the way to the final race of the season with some spectacular shoot-outs along the way. In 2010 he joins Marco Melandri in an all-Italian line-up for San Carlo Honda Gresini in the premier class.