Dupasquier, 19, dies after moto3 crash

Swiss Moto3 rider Jason Dupasquier has died in hospital from injuries he sustained in a three-bike crash during Saturday’s qualifying session in Italy.

Dupasquier, 19, was struck by another bike after falling and slid along the track at the Mugello Circuit.

He was flown to a Florence hospital.

“Despite the best efforts of circuit medical staff and all those subsequently attending to the Swiss rider… Dupasquier has sadly succumbed to his injuries,” MotoGP said.

It added: “On behalf of the entire MotoGP family, we send our love to his team, his family and loved ones You will be sorely missed, Jason. Ride in peace.”

The MotoGP grid held a minute’s silence before Sunday’s Grand Prix.

France’s Fabio Quartararo, who won the race, dedicated his victory to Dupasquier, while he and the other two riders to finish on the podium – Portugal’s Miguel Oliveira and Spain’s Joan Mir – held up the Swiss flag as a tribute.

Dupasquier started his career in Supermoto and was a multiple-time Swiss national champion. He switched to circuit racing in 2016 and made his Moto3 debut in 2020.

Going into the weekend’s Italian Grand Prix, Dupasquier was 10th in the World Championship standings, with 27 points from the opening five races of his second season.

“Dupasquier had made an impressive start to his second season in the lightweight class of Grand Prix racing, consistently scoring points and within the top 10 in the standings,” added MotoGP.

Prustel GP, his team, posted: “We’re devastated, and at this time all of our thoughts are with Jason’s family. You’ll be sorely missed and never forgotten.”

He was treated by medical staff for more than 30 minutes on the track as the session was red-flagged, before he was airlifted to Careggi Hospital.

Fellow Swiss rider Tom Luthi decided not to race in the MotoGP 2 race on Sunday and had gone to the hospital to be close to Dupasquier’s family, said his SAG Racing Team. BBC