The entire Grand Prix paddock was stunned by the tragic death of Shoya Tomizawa and the following tributes have been paid to the 19 year old rider who succumbed to the injuries sustained during the Moto2 race.

Dani Pedrosa : “There are no words to say how it feels after this victory - it feels like nothing. I arrived at parc fermé very happy with the win and I immediately felt that the atmosphere among my mechanics was really strange, everybody was serious. Still with my helmet on they told me about Tomizawa and I couldn’t react. It was a big shock, a big contrast for me. I asked three times if it was true because I couldn’t believe it. It’s so sad, terrible, and these things should never happen.As a person I can only say that he was a very funny boy, always happy and making jokes, and as a rider he earned respect from everybody in a very short time, he was fast and brave. To lose two riders in a week is terribl. I believe everybody in the World Championship is feeling the same now and I want to send my condolences to the family. When you are born, life gives you the chance to choose what you want to do. Tomi chose to be a rider and in fact he was doing great. I just want to think that he’s been happy making his dream come true.”

Andrea Dovizioso: “My thoughts are with Shoya Tomizawa. I was informed after the race and the news is like a slap in the face. Two tragic accidents in two races is so terrible and it reminds us how dangerous is our job. The safety commission has improved safety levels so much that we often forget this aspect. I’m so sorry for Tomizawa’s family. Having become a father I can understand that this is the worst thing that can happen for a family. Unfortunately we couldn’t do anything: these were two casualties, two accidents with a similar dynamic where the track-side barriers were not touched. This can happen and this is why our job is so risky.”

Jorge Lorenzo: “It’s a huge pity because Shoya was a good guy and a strong rider. I am so sad and I just want to say how sorry I am for his family and his friends. When this happens nothing else matters.”

Valentino Rossi: “I’m so sorry for Shoya because he was a strong rider but above all he was very ’sympatico.’ He was very funny, always smiling and he always had nice things to say to everyone. He was also very young with a great career ahead of him so we are all very sad.”

Casey Stoner: “I am deeply saddened for Tomizawa, his family and everybody who worked with him. It is something truly terrible and it left me breathless, like a week ago. It was a pleasure to watch him ride and I was looking forward to see him have a great career.”

Nicky Hayden: “I am really sad, we have lost two riders in two weekends. My thoughts are with his family and his team but I think the whole paddock has been hit hard by this tragedy. At the end of the day we are all brothers here. We have lost a talented kid with a great personality. I loved his style, his determination and the smile he always wore.”

Ben Spies: “I want to express my sadness at the passing of Shoya Tomizawa. My thoughts are with his family and friends. It’s another sad loss for our sport.”

Colin Edwards: “The race doesn’t count for much though when you hear the news about Tomizawa. My thoughts go out to his family and friends at this difficult time.”

Loris Capirossi: “I want to send my condolences to Tomizawa’s family, this is a great tragedy and something that you never like to hear about.”

Alvaro Bautista: : “When we had finished the race I heard the news about Tomizawa and I am just so sorry for him and all his family. It is a hard day for all riders, I am sure he will stay with us always and I hope he is now in a better place.”

Marco Melandri: “There is nothing I have to say about today’s race. It is a tragic day.”

Marco Simoncelli: “The race is insignificant. Two tragedies in a week is too much. Last Sunday a boy of just 13 and today Tomizawa, who was only 19. Unfortunately this is the risk of racing motorcycles but when something like this happens it is simply terrible and I feel so sorry.”

Randy de Puniet: “I do not want to speak about me and my race. This weekend ended in the most horrible way. My thoughts go to Shoya and his family.”

Hector Barbera: “Right now, after learning about what has happened to Tomizawa, I am speechless. I was told about it as soon as I got off the bike, and it is very difficult to take something like that in. Today’s [MotoGP] result doesn’t really matter anymore. Shoya was a great rider who always gave his all on the bike. He was also a great person who was always smiling and with whom I got on well. I want to send my thoughts to his family and friends.”

Aleix Espargaro: “There is nothing to say on a day like this. One of our family is gone.”

Mika Kallio: “It is a sad day today, for everyone.”

Hiroshi Aoyama: “All I can say is I’m very sad. Tomizawa was a great friend.”

Toni Elias: “All I feel is sadness right now and my victory today is irrelevant. I was talking and joking with Tomizawa only yesterday in the Clinica Mobile and to think that he is no longer with us is truly awful. Even today we were out there racing together when he was in front of me before this incredible tragedy. He has left an indelible mark on my life.”

Bradley Smith: “Shoya went out doing what he loves the most in the world and showing what a class act he was. Miss you buddy #48″

Julian Simon : “Like Toni, I have to say this is a very sad day for our sport, my heart goes out to Tomizawa’s family and friends. This was a very tough race. We didn’t see the accident so we had no idea what had happened.”

Thomas Luthi: “I saw the sadness in people’s eyes when I came into the pits after the race. I would like to offer my thoughts and condolences to his family.”
“I’ve also heard what happened to Shoya and I just feel so very sorry.”

Alex De Angelis: “I can’t even express how sorry I am for what happened to Shoya”.

Tatsuya Yamaguchi: “I have so much sadness in my heart. That is the only thing I can bring myself to say.”

Fausto Gresini : “Today is a very sad and very tough day, when racing doesn’t feel like it should. I know just how hard it is to lose a rider in these circumstances and I know the pain that his family and all the guys on the team who worked with him are feeling right now. There is little more to say. This is an extremely sad day. We knew immediately that the incident was serious but you always hope at times like this that there will be a miracle and the rider will get to his feet. Unfortunately that wasn’t the case today.”

Toshiyuki Yamaji: “Today’s result is completely insignificant next to the events in the Moto2 race. The thoughts of all in the team and Honda go out to Shoya Tomizawa’s family and friends. May he rest in peace.”

Wilco Zeelenberg : “We would like to say how sorry we are about Tomizawa, he was clearly a huge talent who was destined to be here in MotoGP one day. This is the nature of our sport but today has reminded us all what can happen.”

Davide Brivio : “It’s a very sad day for our sport, our thoughts go out to Tomi and to his friends, his family and his team. He was a very good guy.”

Vittoriano Guareschi : “We are all feeling the pain and sadness from the loss of Shoya Tomizawa and on behalf of the whole team I would like to pass our condolences to his family and to his team.”

Herve Poncharal : “Today means nothing after the news of Shoya Tomizawa. He was an extremely exciting character and a great hope for the future and he was already somebody who was part of our world. Everybody loved him and we all feel devastated by what happened. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.”

Tom O’Kane: “I want to say to Tomizawa’s family and friends that we all send our deepest sympathies – it’s a terrible thing that has happened and Álvaro was very upset when he heard the news at the end of the race.”

Michael Bartholemy: “We were deeply saddened by the news that Shoya Tomizawa succumbed to the injuries sustained in a crash during today’s Moto2 race. He was a respected rival and will be sorely missed in the paddock. Like everyone in the Marc VDS Racing Team, my thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.”

Alex Briggs: “The thing that makes this sport so exciting is the same thing that makes it suck. cheers & RIP Tomizawa.”

Shuhei Nakamoto, Vice-President, Honda Racing Corporation: “We are very saddened by this news and our thoughts of course are now with Shoya’s family and friends. He was at the start of his Grand Prix career and today we have lost fine young rider and a talent for the future. Shoya had fighting spirit, we will all miss him very much…”

Hiroshi Yasukawa (Director, Bridgestone Motorsport): “Today is a very sad day as we lost a great young Japanese rider, a wonderful character and a shining light who was so young in his motorcycle racing career. Our thoughts and prayers are with Tomizawa-san’s family and friends at this tragic time. His memory shall remain bright in our hearts.”

Tohru Ubukata (Manager, Bridgestone Motorcycle Tyre Development): “I am deeply saddened, as are we all, about the passing of the young and talented Tomizawa-san today. It was a terrible accident and a tragic loss of life and our hearts go out to those who knew him and loved him.”

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