Motorcycle racing was in mourning yesterday after World Supersport rider Andrea Antonelli, 25, was killed following a serious accident at the Moscow Raceway.

The Italian rider was critically injured following a serious crash on the straight between turns 14 and 15 at the Russian circuit.

The race was immediately red-flagged while he was attended to by medics and taken to hospital by ambulance. However, despite the efforts of medical crews, Antonelli succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at 2:10pm local time. Racing at the World Superbike round was immediately suspended.

In a statement on their website, Andrea’s Goeleven Kawasaki team said: “You made us dream, you entertained us, you made us become one of the top teams of the Supersport but that hasn’t given you the glory that you deserved.

“Now “he” wanted you to be up there where you will ride the clouds whereas we mere mortals will continue to remember you and your great passion.

“You deserved it Andrea. You were a great pilot and a golden boy. We will meet up in the sky and we will have the chance to hug you again.

“We will never forget you. We know that you see us from up there. Give us the strength to carry on.”