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… An over-riding sensation came through for me – quite apart from one of being lucky enough to get to know a genuinely lovely man rather well – and that was one of Marco Simoncelli being a pretty contradictory character.

Here was a ballsy motorcycle racer who could be meek and really rather shy in his early days in the championship. It took time for his career to really take hold, but on track he grabbed opportunities on track by the scruff of the neck. He was extremely polite and thoughtful, but by the same token there was not much messing around where Marco was concerned; if he saw the door to an overtaking manoeuvre slightly ajar, he would barge through it without a second thought.

Quirky, gawkish, gangly, awkward, a little different to the norm, yet at the same time as cool as fuck. His shaggy hair became his motif and caused a snigger amongst some, but anyone who saw the brilliant spread of photos he posed for in Italy’s Riders’ magazine dressed in a range of 60s and 70s outfits would love it instantly. He showed he was able to take himself not so seriously.