Moto2 rider Luis Salom has died after suffering serious injuries in a practice crash for the Barcelona Grand Prix, aged 24.
A MotoGP statement confirmed that the SAG Team rider was involved in a crash at turn 12 of the Catalunya circuit with under 25 minutes remaining of the second free practice session, with Moto2 the chief support race for this weekend’s MotoGP event.
Two medical cars and two ambulances were immediately on the scene of the crash to tend to the Spaniard, while the medical helicopter was also deployed.
Salom was transferred to the nearby Hospital General de Catalunya by road due to the severity of his condition, but after undergoing surgery upon arrival, he was pronounced dead shortly before 17:00 local time.
The statement added: “The FIM, Dorna, IRTA, RFME and the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya wishes to pass on its condolences to the family, friends and team of Salom.”
Salom finished second in the Moto3 world championship in 2012, before finishing third in 2013 in which he only missed out on the title at the final race of the season in Valencia as Maverick Vinales and Alex Rins finished ahead of him.
Salom secured nine victories and 25 podium finishes in Moto3 before moving up to the Moto2 category in 2014, where he secured two podium finishes in his debut season. Salom finished second in this season’s opening race in Qatar, and retired from the most recent event in Mugello.
