Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/1506555
Tragedy at Brazilian Championship A ndré Veríssimo Cardoso, 42, and Érico Veríssimo da Rocha, 38 were killed in a horrify- ing accident at the 2023 Brazil- ian Motorcycle Championship at Cascavel over the weekend. The incident happened on the opening lap of the Moto1000GP class when Veríssimo Cardoso fell from his machine and was left stranded in the middle of the track and was hit by Veríssimo da Rocha. Both riders were taken to hospital in a critical condition where they succumbed to their injuries. The meeting was immediately canceled as a mark of respect to the fallen riders. The incident comes on the back of a tragic week for motor - cycle racing with the death of Italian Nicola Sartori, who passed away during a round of the 2023 Promo Racing Cup at Mugello. There were also two deaths at the Isle of Man Manx Grand Prix festival with Gary Vines passing away on August 21 following an accident on the first lap of timed practice at the Ballagarey corner, while Ian Bainbridge lost his life in an accident at Kirk Michael Village on August 23. CN WIND IN THE P50 André Veríssimo Cardoso (left) and Érico Veríssimo da Rocha (right) were both killed in a terrible accident in Brazil. Sito Pons To Wrap Up Moto2 Team L egendary Grand Prix paddock figure Sito Pons will call time on his career as a team owner at the end of the 2023 season. Pons will leave the paddock after 42 years in which he took the 1988 and 1989 250cc World Championships as a rider, before turning his attention to team man- agement in 1992 in the 500cc World Championship with rider Alex Criville. Criville would go on to win Spain's first premier class race at Assen that year, before switching to the factory Honda team and sealing the 1999 500cc World Championship. As a team owner, Pons has taken three world title wins with Pol Espargaro (Moto2) in 2013, and MotoE in 2020 and 2021 with Jordi Torres. "Sometimes you have to make certain decisions and I think now is the time to close this very successful period that we have enjoyed with the team," said Pons. "From my time as a rider, it's 42 years in the championship. When we made the project we knew we wanted to be a protagonist team, and season after season we have always been fighting among the best. Our time in MotoGP was very successful, as well as the years in Moto2. "People are what make the team work and we have been lucky to have the best. I also want to thank all MotoGP, Dorna and IRTA for their constant help and support." CN Sito Pons will call time on his career in the Grand Prix paddock.