Japan’s Tomizawa Dies After Moto2 Crash in San Marino Race

Japanese motorbike rider Shoya Tomizawa has died following a crash during today’s San Marino Moto2 race at the Misano World Circuit.

The 19-year-old “suffered a serious crash and subsequent cranial, thoracic and abdominal trauma” and died at 2:20 p.m. local time, according to a statement on the official MotoGP website. He was treated at the circuit’s medical center before being transported to a hospital in Riccione, northern Italy.

“Everybody involved in MotoGP extends its deepest condolences to Shoya’s family and friends at this tragic loss,” the motorcycling series said in the statement.

Moto2 this season replaced the 250cc category below the elite MotoGP. Tomizawa won in Qatar in April and twice qualified in pole position in 2010.