Monster Energy mourns the loss of rising MotoGP pilot, and San Carlo Honda Gresini rider Marco Simoncelli, after the young Italian racer succumbed to injuries suffered during the second lap of Sunday’s Malaysian Grand Prix in Sepang, Malaysia.

With his trademark wild hair, lust for life and passion for racing, Simoncelli embodied everything a MotoGP racer is known to be. The 24-year-old was calculating, yet aggressive on the track, while charismatic off of it.

In 2008, he won the 250cc World Championship before graduating to the MotoGP grid full time last season. In his career prior to the jump, Simoncelli earned two wins in 125cc competition, in addition to 12 wins in the 250cc class, to go along with his 2008 title.

Marco Simoncelli’s career was cut short just as he was beginning to show his championship potential in MotoGP. Through 16 rounds this season, Simoncelli had earned two pole positions and two podium results, including a career-best runner-up finish just a week prior at the Australian Grand Prix from Phillip Island.

“This is a tremendous loss for the racing world,” said Bruce Stjernstrom, Monster Energy vice president of sports marketing. “Marco was a rising star who was coming on strong in MotoGP. We will all miss the talented and charismatic rider greatly.”

Monster Energy offers its sincerest sympathy and condolences to the entire Simoncelli family during this difficult time.