VALE Fausto Gresini
MotoGP has lost one of its most passionate personalities with the passing of Fausto Gresini. The two-time 125cc World Champion and title-winning team manager died on 23 February, following a two-month battle with COVID-19.
Gresini contracted coronavirus last December, and was initially isolating at his home in Imola, Italy, but his condition worsened and he was hospitalised on 27 December, then transferred to another hospital for specialist COVID treatment on 30 December.
On a ventilator since being admitted to hospital, Gresini was briefly placed in a medical coma at the start of the year due to low blood oxygen levels.
By mid-January, although he was still on a ventilator and his condition remained critical, Gresini was said to be improving. He was conscious, undergoing physiotherapy, able to see visitors under controlled conditions and acknowledged his 60th birthday on 23 January.
By mid-February, Gresini was considered to be making slow, but steady progress before complications and “severely compromised” respiratory function saw him once again placed in a medically-induced coma on 18 February, a day after the Gresini Racing Moto2 and Moto3 teams for 2021 were officially unveiled.
Battling pneumonia and other complications caused by the virus ultimately proved too much and Gresini passed away on 23 February.
Photo: Russell Colvin
In a statement released on twitter, Gresini Racing paid tribute to their boss and founder: “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, a few days after turning 60.”
A funeral service, held at Imola on 27 February, was live streamed due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Fausto Gresini is survived by wife Nadia Padovani and four children.
Gresini the Rider
As a rider, Gresini made his grand prix debut in 1983, riding an MBA (Morbidelli) in the 125cc class. His first race win, on a Garelli, came a year later and he won the 125cc World Championship in 1985, then again in 1987. Gresini was also 125cc championship runner-up on three occasions before ending his full-time racing career in 1994 with 21 race wins, 26 other podiums, 13 fastest laps and 17 poles. Interestingly, Gresini only raced in the 125cc class at grand prix level.
Gresini the Team Manager
As a team manager, Gresini started in 1997, initially in the 500cc class, then the 250cc category from 1999. Gresini’s first champion was Daijiro Kato, who won the 250cc World Championship in 2001.
Returning to the 500cc category in 2002 (when it was renamed MotoGP), Gresini Racing concentrated exclusively on the premier class from 2003 to 2009, achieving 14 race wins, but no championships.
A return to the 250cc class (now Moto2) in 2010 produced instant results, with Toni Elisa winning the championship that year. From 2012, Gresini Racing also fielded a Moto3 team, with whom Jorge Martin won the World Championship in 2018.
In 2019, Gresini Racing joined the new MotoE electric bike championship and team rider Matteo Ferrari became the category’s inaugural champion.
Team Future?
Gresini’s passing will have no immediate effect on the teams bearing his name in MotoGP, Moto2, Moto3 and MotoE, but longer term plans, including Gresini Racing’s reversion to independent team status in MotoGP from 2022 (instead of running the Aprilia factory entry), are less certain.
