Motorcycle racing prodigy dies aged 9 after horror crash in Brazil

A young motorcycle racer has tragically died at the age of nine after being involved in a horror crash during a practice session for a junior competition in Brazil on Monday, June 17.

Lorenzo Somaschini, who was in a practice run before his scheduled participation in the Honda Junior Cup on Friday, was in a collision and suffered a severe head injury on the Interlagos track in Sao Paulo.

Somaschini was ‘promptly treated’ by medical personnel at the scene and was rushed to Albert Einstein Hospital. While he was stabilised at the facility, his condition soon worsened and he was pronounced dead two days later.

Considered a major prodigy in the motorsport, Somaschini had been partaking and practising in junior motorcycle events since he was just four years of age. Known by his nickname of ‘Lolo’ he wore the number 99 in reference to three-time MotoGP world champion Jorge Lorenzo. He made his debut in the Argentinian Superbike Championship in April of this year. His budding motorcycling career had gotten off to a promising start, as he finished fifth overall.

A statement regarding the incident on SuperBike Brazil’s official website reads: “SuperBike Brasil announces, with great sadness and regret, the passing of pilot Lorenzo Somaschini this Monday (17/6), at 7.43pm. The Argentine, born in Rosário, was admitted to the Albert Einstein Hospital, in São Paulo (SP), under intensive medical care and, unfortunately, did not survive. Everyone on the SuperBike Brasil team is appalled by the event and expresses sincere condolences to all of Lorenzo's family and friends.”

On his official Instagram account, Jorge Lorenzo wrote: “My heart breaks because I was his idol and he had my number. Unfortunately, motorcycles can give us everything, at any time. A very big hug to the family.”