Shoya Tomizawa is probably not familiar to most of you. The nineteen year old Japanese rider was the winner of the first ever Moto2 race in Qatar this year. We don't really cover Moto2, the same as we don't really cover World Supersport. But everyone who had anything to do with Shoya says he wa spretty special off the bike as well as on. And for that reason alone we're running this article.

Shoya was killed in a high speed crash early in Sunday's Moto2 round at Misano. Having led for a few laps, Shoya had dropped back to third in the close and frantic action when he ran slightly wide exiting a fast corner and lost control. By some freak of physics, instead of sliding out the bike hooked up and flung itself, and Shoya, back onto the track into the path of the following pack. Accelerating hard out of the corner, the othe rriders had neither the time nor the ability to change course, and Shoya was struck by Scott Redding and Alex de Angelis. De Angelis walked away while Redding was knocked out and suffered sever lacerations to his back.

Shoya suffered massive head and chest injuries, and despite immediate medical attention, both trackside and en route to the hospital, he was certified shortly after arriving at hospital in Riccione.

We at MotorbikesToday extend our sympathies to Shoya's family, friends, team and competitors. The tributes and quotes below give a better measure of the man than I ever could.

Moto2 race winner at Misano on Sunday Toni Elías said: “All I feel is sadness right now and my victory today is irrelevant. I was talking and joking with Tomizawa only yesterday in the Clinica Mobile and to think that he is no longer with us is truly awful. Even today we were out there racing together when he was in front of me before this incredible tragedy. He has left an indelible mark on my life."

MotoGP race winner Dani Pedrosa reflected: “There are no words to say how it feels after this victory - it feels like nothing. It’s so sad, terrible, and these things should never happen. As a person I can only say that he was a very funny boy, always happy and making jokes, and as a rider he earned respect from everybody in a very short time, he was fast and brave.”

World Champion Valentino Rossi commented: "I'm so sorry for Shoya because he was a strong rider but above all he was very ‘sympatico.' He was very funny, always smiling and he always had nice things to say to everyone. He was also very young with a great career ahead of him so we are all very sad."

Scott Redding’s team-mate Héctor Faubel added his own comments:

"I rode some days together with Shoya when he arrived in the World Championship with Honda," said Faubel. "He was the funniest guy in the paddock. It didn't matter to him if you beat him in the last race or not, he still had time for you. He congratulated you if you won or even just had a good practice session. I last saw Shoya at the Clinica Mobile on Saturday evening in Misano, when he greeted me with; 'Faubel, good job in Indy. You were very strong and I'm happy for you.' That's the type of person he was."

Faubel continued: "My thoughts are also with Scott, who I'm sure will bounce back from this tragic weekend. It will be difficult, sure, but I'm certain he can do it. I look forward to seeing him on the bike again at Valencia during the test and back at the front of the pack in Aragón."

But the most important comments about Shoya must be from his family and team:

"Shoya Tomizawa was one of the rays of sunshine in the paddock and within his team. He never missed an opportunity to dedicate a smile or a ‘hello’ to anybody he encountered. He enjoyed having fun with his colleagues but was also a very professional rider who was spirited, and fully concentrated on the development of his bike after every ride. All were impressed by his talent and his refined style of riding. He worked hard to give his maximum not only for himself but for everybody in his team, who had become a second family with whom he spent most of his free time between races.

We have not only lost a talented rider, we have lost a friend and a son who radiated the joy of life and transmitted a good feeling to all those around him. This will always remain in our memories.

We write these lines as a thank you to all those who have sent us messages of condolence during these past hours. Through these messages we have achieved a great feeling of warmth. This great support shows that Shoya was not just appreciated by his own family and friends, but by many more.

Without Shoya nothing will be as it was before, but thanks to its passion for the sport and the encouragement of his family the Technomag-CIP team will continue its adventure and challenges in Moto2.

His parents want us to keep his smile and mischievous look in our memory, and remember that he passed away doing what he loved.

Cordially,

Parents, team, CIP and Technomag"