Simoncelli's #58 retired, father's team enters Moto3
The #58 made famous by Marco Simoncelli was officially retired from MotoGP during a ceremony at Misano on Thursday.
Misano was the local race for the 250cc world champion, who tragically lost his life at the age of 24 in the 2011 Malaysian MotoGP.
Standing alongside Paolo Simoncelli, Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta declared: "Today we say to Marco's father, Paolo, that from now this number belongs to the Simoncelli family. Nobody will use it, unless they decide somebody can use this number."
Dorna's Carmelo Ezpeleta announces team run by Marco Simoncelli's father to compete in #Moto3 next season pic.twitter.com/y1KibAiERC-- Crash.net MotoGP (@crash_motogp) September 8, 2016
"Also it's a great moment - and we've agreed with Paolo to announce that - Paolo's team, which has been participating in the FIM Junior World Championship, will participate from next year in the Moto3 World Championship."
A grand prix rider from 2002, Simoncelli claimed 14 victories (14 in 250cc, 2 in 125cc) and 31 podiums (2 in MotoGP, 22 in 250cc, 7 in 125cc). The Italian's local track was officially renamed as the 'Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli' following his death.
