Two MotoAmerica racers are dead after a fatal pile-up during the first turn of their event at Laguna Seca.
Spanish racers Bernat Martinez (age 35), and Daniel Rivas Fernandez (age 27) died in hospital after suffering injuries in a crash during the first lap of the Superbike/Superstock 1000. Several other riders were involved, escaping with lesser injuries.
At first, race authorities seemed to be unaware of the seriousness of the injuries, because surprisingly, the race was actually re-started after the crash.
You can see shaky cellphone footage of the crash here. There’s better footage below, at the end of this story. However, considering this is an accident with multiple fatalities, we’ll suggest you use your discretion in watching it.
In the aftermath, MotoAmerica president Wayne Rainey issued a statement saying I really don’t have any words to describe what we all feel … Our sincere condolences goes out to each and every one of them as well as the MotoAmerica family.”
CMG would like to add its own condolences to the families of Martinez and Fernandez, and also send wishes for speedy recoveries to the racers injured by the crash.
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