Kurt Caselli has died. The racing champion sustained fatal head injuries during a crash at the Baja 1000 on Friday in Mexico. He was just 30 years old.
Caselli's KTM Racing team had been in the lead for much of the 833-mile off-road race and was in second place when he crashed near mile 796.
The accident occurred approximately 5 p.m. PST.
Previous reports that Kurt's crash was related to an on-course booby trap or other sabotage have been discredited, though an investigation is underway.
Caselli passed away, reports say, during transport to a hospital in Ensenada, about 60 miles south of the U.S. border on the Baja California peninsula.
Caselli was a Moto X Endurocross competitor at X Games beginning in 2011, and was one of the most highly decorated athletes in off-road racing.
He was named AMA Sportsman of the Year in 2007, and was in Baja fresh off of winning his third straight AMA National Hare & Hound Championship title.
The KTM Racing team posted the following statement on Friday night:
"[We are] hugely shocked and saddened to hear of the death of Kurt Caselli. A huge loss to his family, team and to our sport. Kurt was a wonderful competitor and an all round top guy."
Tributes have been flooding out across social media overnight, including this one from the World Off-Road Championship Series Facebook page:
"It is with a heavy heart and fond memories of one of the greatest racers to ever kick their leg over a motorcycle that we morn the loss of a great one."
"Kurt Caselli raced, lived and breathed off-road and was a role model to many. My tears and prayers are for his family and to all those that will fe
{ 0 komentar... read them below or add one }
Posting Komentar