Japan mourns death of teenage rider Tomizawa

Japanese media, racing figures and fans yesterday mourned the death of teenage motorcycle racer Shoya Tomizawa at a Moto2 race at Italy’s San Marino Grand Prix.

“No way, the 19-year-old hopeful...” said a Tokyo Chunichi Sports daily headline after Tomizawa died following a crash in the Moto2 race, the second tier competition of the world championship.

“He was a Japanese ace rider and much was expected of him in the future. His death has caused deep sorrow,” the newspaper said.

Tomizawa’s death came more than seven years after his compatriot Daijiro Kato, 26, was killed in a fall at the Japanese MotoGP in Suzuka.

Tomizawa, of team Technomag-CIP, was in his first season in the Moto2 category and had started in style by winning the curtain-raiser in Qatar.

“It was too early for him to pass away as he was still 19,” Hiroshi Yasukawa, director of Bridgestone’s motorsport, said in a statement.

“We offer our condolences from the bottom of our hearts. We will never forget about him.”

Fans expressed their sorrow on Tomizawa’s official website.

“I could not believe it. I am lost for words,” one of his fans commented.

“I just feel sad and full of regret and sorrow.”

Tomizawa had made his last comments on his official website following qualifying sessions on Sunday.

“I will be in the second row,” he wrote.

“That’s a position where I must be careful, but I want to have a good race by getting off to a firm start.”