MOTO3 RIDER DUPASQUIER PASSES AWAY

Swiss Moto3 rider Jason Dupasquier has passed away from injuries sustained in a crash during Saturday’s qualifying session at the Mugello Circuit in Italy.

Despite the best efforts of circuit medical staff and the medical team at the Careggi Hospital in Florence, Dupasquier sadly succumbed to his injuries the following day.

Late in the qualifying session, Dupasquier was riding in the middle of a pack when he fell off his bike exiting Arrabbiata 2.

Directly behind was Ayumu Sasaki, the Japanese rider had nowhere to go and fatally struck the fallen Dupasquier.

Jeremy Alcoba was also caught up in the incident off camera, fortunately he and Sasaki were able to walk away uninjured, however Dupasquier was treated at the circuit for serious injuries.

The qualifying session was immediately red flagged and not restarted.

The FIM medical intervention vehicles arrived at the site within seconds of the accident and attended to the Swiss rider for several minutes on track, before he was transferred by medical helicopter in a stable state to the Florence hospital.

Around 24 hours after the accident it was confirmed that Dupasquier had lost his life.

Due to the crash, the Prustel GP team (for which he rode) elected not to race in the grand prix.

Before the start of the MotoGP race the whole paddock will stand silent for one minute in memory of the bright young Swiss star.

The 19-year-old made an impressive start to his second season in the Moto3 category. In all of the first five races he finished inside the points including a career best seventh in Spain, he sat tenth in the standings.

Auto Action sends its deepest condolences to the friends and family of Jason Dupasquier.