Cycle News

IN THE WIND P20 TOMMY AQUINO PASSES IN MOTOCROSS ACCIDENT T ommy Aquino, the 21-year-old former factory Yamaha rider who most recently raced in the British Superstock Series, was killed and a second man seriously injured on Sunday, February 1 in a crash at the Piru Ranch Motocross in Piru, Califor- nia, close to where Aquino lived. The incident was reported shortly before 12:30 p.m. and initial reports called it a head-on collision between two motorcyclists. One rider was taken to a hospital by helicopter and Aquino was pro- nounced dead at the scene, according to reports. Aquino's death was confirmed Sunday by his family. Aquino's website simply shows a black ribbon with the No. 31 when you click on his bio. Social media has been flooded with condolences to the Aquino family. Aquino rode for the GR Motorsport WD-40 team in BSB's National Superstock Champi- onship last season and was set to ride for the team again in 2014. Last year he scored his first win in the series at Cadwell Park en route to finishing seventh in the overall standings. The team released the following statement: "It is with massive regret that we confirm the extremely sad passing of our friend and rider Tommy Aquino. Tommy was a great asset to our team and a welcome addition to my family. Tommy was enjoying a day with his father Tom and a friend and became involved in a freak accident. The thoughts of all our team members, sponsors and friends are with Tom, Car- rie and Michael as this tragic loss is shared. This evening there are many wonderful pic- tures of Tommy being posted by many of his friends and fans for everyone to share. RIP #31 Tommy A - ride hard, keep smiling." Aquino was a racing prodigy who rose quickly through the ranks and earned a victory on a YES/ Graves Motorsports Yamaha in the Daytona SportBike class at New Jersey Motorsports Park in 2011. He was named AMA Pro Road Rac- ing Rookie of the Year in 2008. He also competed part time in Spain's CEV Series in 2011 and 2012, twice earning points-paying finishes. Aquino was known in the paddock as being a friendly rider who always had a smile on his face. TV personality Greg White recently interviewed Aquino and said, "For those who did not know Tommy, you couldn't help but notice his passion and love for the sport." Larry Lawrence PHOTOGRAPHY BY ANDREA WILSON Young road racer Tommy Aquino was killed in a motocross accident on Sunday. He was 21 years old. THE DRAGSTER! M V Agusta unveiled its 2014 Brutale 800 Dragster last week – the fifth motorcycle to use MV's in- line 798cc triple. This one, however, definitely looks different – naked and muscular – or as MV says, "The most extreme and essential Brutale ever." MV says the bike has the DNA of "dragsters… spe- cifically built to release the explosive power in the few seconds that separate clutch release from the checkered flag."

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