19-year-old MotoGP rider succumbs to injuries following crash at Italian Grand Prix qualifying session

Swiss Moto3 rider Jason Dupasquier has died after a crash in Saturday’s qualifying session of the Italian Grand Prix at the Mugello Circuit, MotoGP organisers said on Sunday.

Dupasquier was airlifted to a hospital in Florence after a crash during Moto3 qualifying for the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello on Saturday. Before being airlifted, Dupasquier was treated on the track for approximately 30 minutes.

The 19-year-old was involved in an accident with riders Ayumu Sasaki and Jeremy Alcoba toward the end of the session, which was immediately red-flagged. Dupasquier appeared to fall and was then hit by his own motorbike and that of Sasaki, while a visibly shocked Alcoba later said on TV that he thought he had also gone over the teen rider’s legs.

“Despite the best efforts of circuit medical staff and all those subsequently attending to the Swiss rider, the hospital has announced that Dupasquier has sadly succumbed to his injuries,” MotoGP said in a statement.

“On behalf of the entire MotoGP family, we send our love to his team, his family and loved ones. You will be sorely missed, Jason. Ride in peace.”

We’re deeply saddened to report the loss of Jason Dupasquier

On behalf of the entire MotoGP family, we send our love to his team, his family and loved ones

You will be sorely missed, Jason. Ride in peace pic.twitter.com/nZCzlmJsVi

— MotoGP (@MotoGP) May 30, 2021

“Dupasquier had made an impressive start to his second season in the lightweight class of Grand Prix racing, consistently scoring points and within the top ten in the standings,” the statement added.

World championship leader Fabio Quartararo of Yamaha had dedicated his record lap in Saturday’s qualifying to Dupasquier after the crash.