Marco Simoncelli's Funeral Brings Thousands Of MotoGP Fans To Coriano

Thousands of MotoGP fans standing over the streets of Coriano in central Italy to pay their final respects to the Italian MotoGP rider Marco Simoncelli, whose funeral has been taking place at the church of Santa Maria Assunta in his home town Coriano.

The hearse arrived at the church just before 3pm local time. Beside Simoncelli's coffin were two motorcycles – one that he rode to win the 250cc championship in 2008 and another used this season.

The seven times world champion Valentino Rossi was set to ride Simoncelli's motorcycle out at the end of the service as a tribute to his close friend, who died following a crash at Sunday's Malaysian Grand Prix involving Colin Edwards.

Simoncelli's funeral was being broadcast live on three big screens outside the church and at the nearby Misano Adriatico circuit, as well as on various Italian television stations.

Along side Marco’s father Paolo, mother Rosella, sister Martina and girlfriend Kate, in attendance were current and former fellow riders including Valentino Rossi, Raffaele De Rosa, Chaz Davies, Mattia Pasini, Manuel Poggiali, Jorge Lorenzo, Andrea Dovizioso, Randy de Puniet, Loris Capirossi and Hiroshi Aoyama and Alex de Angelis. Also present at the services were CEO of Dorna Sports, Carmelo Ezpeleta, and FIM president Vito Ippolito.