Official confirmation arrives: Fausto Gresini has lost his battle. The former MotoGP rider and manager died at the age of 60.
Yesterday evening there were announcements and denials regarding Fausto Gresini‘s conditions. Unfortunately, the official news arrives: the former MotoGP rider and boss has died, losing the battle against the after-effects of Covid. Just 60 years old (exactly one month ago), one of the people who left an important mark in the MotoGP paddock is leaving. The BikeAndRace editorial team sends its deepest condolences to the family in this difficult time.
THE OFFICIAL NEWS AND THE MESSAGES
Here is the full note from the team. “The news that we never wanted to give you and that we are forced to write. After practically two months of fighting Covid, Fausto Gresini leaves us with just 60 years old. All Gresini Racing gathers around the family, his wife Nadia and their children Lorenzo, Luca, Alice and Agnese … and the countless people who have had the opportunity to know and appreciate him.”
A lot of messages from all the paddock. Enea Bastianini said that he wants to “Remember him as a winner. He’s been a father to me in the paddock“. Davide Bulega (Nicolò Bulega’s father) wanted to remember him for an episode that occurred when Nicolò started racing for Gresini. And even Aprilia drivers, all the teams and other big names of MotoGP sent messages of condolences. If you want to read more about it, we have just published this article.
Already in the late evening of Monday 22 February, Fausto’s brain death was ascertained. Hence the misunderstanding of the spread of the news on all major media, denied via social media by family members.
Born in 1961, Gresini had made his debut in the World Championship in 1982 with MBA, failing to finish the race. Subsequently, his career had grown, culminating in the two 125cc world titles obtained in 1985 and 1987 with Garelli. His career ended in 1994. Three years later here is the structure in his name. It has now become an important part of the paddock. We remember the four-team manager titles: Daijirō Katō in 250cc in 2001, Toni Elías in Moto2 in 2010, Jorge Martín in Moto3 in 2018, Matteo Ferrari in MotoE in 2019.