Fausto Gresini dead at 60: Champ’s COVID death rocks motorsport

Dual world champion and influential team owner Fausto Gresini has died aged 60 after contracting the coronavirus late last year.

Italian Fausto Gresini, a double 125cc world champion and MotoGP team owner, has died from the coronavirus aged 60, his team announced on Tuesday.

Gresini Racing announced on Twitter “the news we would have never wanted to give, and that unfortunately we are forced to share with all of you.

“After nearly two months battling against Covid, Fausto Gresini has sadly passed away, few days after turning 60. #CiaoFausto.”

Gresini won the 125cc motorbike world championship in 1985 and 1987 before setting up his own outfit.

He was admitted to hospital on December 27 at first in Imola and then in Bologna’s Maggiore Hospital, suffering from severe and persistent breathing problems after contracting the virus over the Christmas holidays.

Fausto Gresini (left) celebrates his team’s win at the French MotoGP in 2006. (Photo by JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER / AFP)

Born in 1961 he competed in the 125cc category between 1983 and 1994, winning 21 Grand Prix with 47 podiums and 17 pole positions in 133 races, finishing vice-champion three times.

After retiring he established his own team which competes in all three divisions with Italian constructor Aprilia among the MotoGP elite.

A much loved member of the MotoGP family has sadly left us

Fausto Gresini was a colleague to many, a friend to all and will be sorely, sorely missed. Our thoughts go out to his family and loved ones

Rest in peace Fausto pic.twitter.com/qWfP34BIpa

— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) February 23, 2021

FIM mourns the loss of one of the most gentle men of the MotoGP family, our friend Fausto Gresini, a two-time FIM World Champion in the 125cc class (1985, 1987) and a key figure in the paddock as founder of the Gresini Team.
Pic © FIM pic.twitter.com/D60YPLCDd0

— FIM (@FIM_live) February 23, 2021

Rest in peace, Fausto Gresini

The motorsport world has lost one of its most beloved and special characters

Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones pic.twitter.com/kStUPcGv9Q

— Formula 1 (@F1) February 23, 2021

Gresini Racing has had a tragic recent history with Japan’s former 250cc world champion Daijiro Kato dying after a crash during the 2003 Japanese Grand Prix.

Tragedy struck again in October 2011 when Italian rider Marco Simoncelli died after an accident at the Malaysian Grand Prix.

— AFP

Originally published as Fausto Gresini dead at 60: Champ’s COVID death rocks motorsport