Remembering Number 58

Marco Simoncelli at the 2011 Australian Grand Prix at Phillip Island

In just 3 months, the 2012 MotoGP season will kick off in the Middle Eastern state of Qatar and with the inaugural race of the year not so far away, anticipation and interest has begun to bubble amongst the sport's fans.

However, whilst attention may be fixed intently upon the sport's looming future, it is the sport's more recent past it should be doing more to focus upon. Saturday, the 20th of January saw the 25th birthday of one of MotoGP's most promising - and tragic - personalities; Italian rider Marco Simoncelli.

Simoncelli tragically passed away during the penultimate round of the 2011 season: the Malaysian Grand Prix. Unexpectedly falling from his Gresini Honda, Simoncelli was struck by the bikes of Colin Edwards and 8-time champion, Valentino Rossi on the second lap of the race. Whilst the race was immediately postponed, Simoncelli was taken to the circuit's medical centre and he died 45 minutes later. The Medical Director Michele Macchiagodena stated the Italian had sustained "a very serious trauma to the head, neck and chest" after his helmet had come off during the crash.

It was a sudden and unexpected shock to the system for the sport. Coming just a week after British driver Dan Wheldon died at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway in America, it was a reminder to everyone involved in the sport directly and it's fans around the globe that these men are not immortal and beneath the helmets, they are as vulnerable and delicate as the rest of us.

A likeable figure amongst the other riders in the sport and amongst everyone in Motorsport as a whole, Simoncelli was very much seen as the future. After winning the 250cc title in 2008, he progressed to the big league and had impressed from the word go. Known for his infectious smile, wild hair and enthusiasm for racing, Marco had obvious talent and panache.

And yet, for this fan, he'll be remembered for one thing: the knowledge that we didn't get to see and share in his undoubted successes. With just two pole positions and two podium finishes in his two MotoGP seasons, Marco would of become one of the biggest stars in the sport and it is a terrible shame to know that this will never be.

And it is for this reason I feel that more attention should be given to the late rider's 25th birthday. Whilst much is being done in his birthplace of Coriano, Italy to pay tribute, his passing, talent and impact should not be so quickly forgotten as the new season begins. For many fans, Simoncelli was an interesting, important and above all entertaining part of MotoGP. By all means, look forward to and count down towards the 2012 season. Just don't forget about those that were lost in 2011.