This weekend, the motorcycle racing world lost another young rider. Shoya Tomizawa was killed in an accident during the Moto2 race. At just 19 years old, Shoya Tomizawa was at the start of a promising career. He took the first ever Moto2 win at Qatar, was a charismatic personallity, was well liked in the paddock, and will be sorely missed by fans, family, and friends. Here are a few quotes from Moto2 riders, MotoGP riders, Honda, FIM, and others that are mourning the death of Shoya Tomizawa.

Moto2 season leader Toni Elias:

“All I feel is sadness right now and my victory today is irrelevant. I was talking and joking with Tomizawa only yesterday in the Clinica Mobile and to think that he is no longer with us is truly awful. Even today we were out there racing together when he was in front of me before this incredible tragedy. He has left an indelible mark on my life."

MotoGP race winner Dani Pedrosa:

“There are no words to say how it feels after this victory - it feels like nothing. It’s so sad, terrible, and these things should never happen. As a person I can only say that he was a very funny boy, always happy and making jokes, and as a rider he earned respect from everybody in a very short time, he was fast and brave.”

MotoGP season leader Jorge Lorenzo:

"I don't have many words for the race on such a sad say. It's a huge pity because he was a good guy and a strong rider. I am so sad and I just want to say how sorry I am for his family and his friends. When this happens nothing else matters."

MotoGP defending champion Valentino Rossi:

"I'm so sorry for Shoya because he was a strong rider but above all he was very ‘sympatico.' He was very funny, always smiling and he always had nice things to say to everyone. He was also very young with a great career ahead of him so we are all very sad."

Ducati rider Casey Stoner:

“I am deeply saddened for Tomizawa, his family and everybody who worked with him. It is something truly terrible and it left me breathless, like a week ago (and the death of Peter Lenz). It was a pleasure to watch him ride and I was looking forward to see him have a great career."

Ducati rider Nicky Hayden:

“I am really sad, we have lost two riders in two weekends. My thoughts are with his family and his team but I think the whole paddock has been hit hard by this tragedy. At the end of the day we are all brothers here. We have lost a talented kid with a great personality. I loved his style, his determination and the smile he always wore.”

Vito Ippolito, FIM President:

“We are extremely saddened by the death of Shoya Tomizawa, a charming and talented rider with a promising future, which reminds us that our sport, in spite of a reduced number of fatal accidents in recent years, is not without risk for its competitors."

Shuhei Nakamoto, Vice-President, Honda Racing Corporation:

“We are very saddened by this news and our thoughts of course are now with Shoya’s family and friends. 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…”

MotoGP.com has more quotes from around the Moto2 and MotoGP paddocks, as well as a few tribute videos.You can also send your own tributes and condolences here.

Tony Elias' fourth consecutive victory was overshadowed today, by the death of a great Moto2 rider. Shoya Tomizawa died today after sustaining severe injuries during the Moto2 race at Misano.

Tomizawa took a fall, and was hit at high speed by Scott Redding and Alex de Angelis.

Tomizawa was taken to a nearby hospital, and was pronounced dead at 14:20 local time, according to Crash.net.

Read more...

Tony Elias is taking charge of the Moto2 series. Elias has won four consecutive races, 6 total in the 2010 Moto2 series, and extended his lead to 83 points today after claiming another victory at Misano.

Elias increased his lead by a full 25 points over Andrea Iannone, as his biggest competitor earned a DNF for the day.

Elias' race win was overshadowed, however, by a huge accident that sent two riders to the hospital. Shoya Tomizawa hit the pavement, and was then hit at full speed by Alex de Angelis and Scott Redding. Redding and Tomizawa were both taken to the hospital. It has just been reported, that Tomizawa has died due to the injuries. Redding is still in the hospital. (Read more about the accident here.)

With Iannone dropping out of the race with mechanical problems, and Julian Simon earning a second place finish for the day. Simon moves into second place in the overall standings. Thomas Luthi finished third followed by Simon Corsi.

Moto2 – Misano – Race Results

1. Elias (Moriwaki) 26 laps
2. Simon (Suter) +1.969s
3. Luthi (Moriwaki) +11.917s
4. Corsi (Motobi) +15.409s
5. Bradl (Suter) +16.219s
6. Cluzel (Suter) +16.676s
7. Talmacsi (Speed Up) +16.852s
8. Aegerter (Suter) +18.330s
9. Corti (Suter) +20.650s
10. Rolfo (Suter) +29.678s

Moto2 - Misano - Race Results

Tony Elias is enroute to claiming his fourth consecutive Moto2 race. Elias claimed the pole position today in Misano, beaing out Scott Redding and Julian Simon.

Despite having three consecutive race wins, this is only Elias' second pole position win of the 2010 Moto2 season. Elias hasn't started from the front row of the grid since the opening round in Qatar.

Scott Redding missed out on the pole position by just .04 seconds, but earned his second consecutive front row start, and will be aiming for another podium finish. Julian Simon and Jules Cluzel will complete the front row, while Elias' biggest competition, Andrea Iannone will start from the front of row two.

Iannone might have been able to earn a better qualifying position, but his session was cut short by a mechanical problem. Simon Corsi, Alex De Angelis, and Shoya Tomizawa will complete the second row.

Moto2 - Misano - Qualifying

Alex de Angelis returned to the Moto2 this weekend, and he returned on top. Angelis is riding as a substitute for the JiR Moto team at his home GP, and managed to hold off Julian Simon and Shoya Tomizawa for the top spot on the time sheets today in San Marino.

Angelis, who is filling in for the injured Yusuke Teshima, set a best lap of 1'40.064 around the Misano track. Simon and Tomizawa were close behind, both finishing within three tenths of a second behind Angelis.

Claudio Corti threw his hat into the ring as well today, with a fourth place finish. Corti finished .4 seconds behind Angelis, beating out season leader Tony Elias. Elias has won the past three races, and is building a solid lead in the moto2 series.

Mattia Pasini, another wildcard riding at this weekend's Moto2 race, finished sixth behind Elias.

Moto2 - Misano - First Free Practice Session