Motorcycling: Italy mourns young racer killed in collision

Dies in Misano World Circuit event named for Marco Simoncelli

(ANSA) - Rimini, April 14 - Italy was in mourning Monday for a promising young motorcycle racer who died in a crash with two other riders during an event near the Adriatic coast. Emanuele Cassani, 24, was killed in the crash during the 600 class of the Bridgestone Cup, the first round of the Italian Cup circuit, at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli race track outside the town of Misano Adriatico near Rimini. That track was named for Marco Simoncelli, who was killed at the race in Malaysia in the premium class, MotoGP, in late 2011.

Cassani's race had just started when the three riders collided, crashing to the asphalt, killing him almost instantly and raising comparisons with Simoncelli. Another driver broken his collarbone in the Sunday collision while the third was reportedly not injured.

Cassani, who was riding his Yamaha R6 600, had experience on the circuit and had won several trophies including the Mototemporada. Officials agreed to cancel all other races as a sign of mourning for the deadly crash.