Horror As Motorcyclist is Killed

British MotoGP rider Cal Crutchlow tweeted: 'RIP Marco Simoncelli ! A great rider and all round nice guy. My thoughts are with all his family & friends. I will never forget today.'

Just after the accident, Tony Elias, Moto2 world champion, had spoken of his prayers that Simoncelli's injuries were not serious.

'We just hope Marco is OK - that's my wish,' he said.

Last week British IndyCar racing driver Dan Wheldon died after he was catapulted helplessly into the air in a 225mph smash before landing on a barrier and suffering fatal head injuries.

Just days earlier the father-of-two joined a number of other drivers in expressing the fears over the speed of cars and overcrowding on the oval-shaped track.

But in a blog post, he had promised fans he would go out to win and put on a show of 'pure entertainment'.