Death of a Stranger

I'm a guy, so I don't cry often. Even then it's usually a subtle, eyes-welling, choked moment when I can't talk. It's understandable that one would cry for a family member or close friend. Crying for someone you never met is a little different, especially if you're a guy. On December 8th, 1980 I was on the way to go night skiing after work when the news came over the car radio ... John Lennon was dead ... shot. That was the first time I cried for a stranger.

Over the years, it's happened a few times. Joey Dunlop. David Jefferies.

Now I can talk about the last time I cried for a stranger. On October 23rd I caught a glimpse of the MotoGP website homepage as I tried to get to the race video, a couple of hours after actual race time, without revealing the winner. The glimpse included a flash of white and red. Simoncelli. He's been one of the most exciting racers of the season, albeit a bit of a loose cannon. I was all prepared for his first MotoGP win. I was anticipating reckless, breathtaking passes and hard fought, close racing. I was excited for Marco.

Lap two, turn 11 at Sepang. Marco and Bautista had started an early duel, with Simoncelli in front. Pushing as hard as they were, that early in a race never bodes well. Tyres are up to temp, but bikes are still heavy with fuel. Simoncelli low-sides drifting to the outside of the right-hander, Bautista sneeks through on the inside. With Marco falling to the inside of the bike, possibly trying to save it, he ended up underneath, forcing the rear tyre back down onto the track, driving the bike back across the rack to the inside, directly in the paths of Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi. Edwards hammered into Marco's back, neck and head, while Rossi added force by hitting Edwards, forcing Simoncelli under the full weight of his own bike and out the other side. His helmet popped out from under the bike.

I got that choked, heart-stopping feeling as soon as I saw the helmet and, with shock, instantly realized why Marco's picture had been on the MotoGP homepage. I knew right then that Marco Simoncelli, Super Sic, 58, was dead. Again I cried for a stranger.