Italian motorcyclist killed in Malaysian race

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia - Italian rider Marco Simoncelli died Sunday after crashing and being hit by two other riders at the Malaysian MotoGP motorcycle race. He was 24.

After the crash, Simoncelli was taken to the medical center at the Sepang circuit where he died of chest, head and neck injuries, organizers said.

“He was already unconscious when the medical team arrived [at the track],’’ MotoGP medical director Michele Macchiagodena said. “We attempted to resuscitate him but failed. He died 45 minutes later.’’

The race, the second last of the season, was canceled.

Simoncelli lost control of his Honda at turn 11 four minutes into the race and swerved across the track, straight into the path of American Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi of Italy. Simoncelli’s death comes a week after British racing driver Dan Wheldon was killed.

AP