A rising motorcyclestar has died aged just 17 after a horror racing smash.
Pau Alsina sustained head injuries when he was thrown from his bike. He died in hospital on Monday two days after the crasg, which happened during the JuniorGP World Championship at the MotorLand Aragón circuit, near Alcañiz, eastern Spain.
Pau was rushed to a hospital in Zaragoza, where he underwent emergency surgery. Despite the swift medical intervention, the 17-year-old racing star died from his injuries.
The teenager, from Sallent in Catalonia, began riding motorcycles aged three. He was one of the standout talents in the Estrella Galicia 0,0 team and had already started making a name for himself in this season’s JuniorGP World Championship.
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Pau was ranked 13th in the overall standings and had scored points in every race except the first. He was also competing in the Italian CIV Moto3 Championship, where he sat in fourth place overall with two podium finishes to his name.
He was among a new generation of Spanish riders tipped for greatness. Pau often said in interviews that his idols were the Márquez and Espargaró brothers.
His team said in a statement: “Pau’s commitment, energy, and always positive and warm attitude will remain with us forever. Rest in peace, Pau. We love you.” The Sallent City Council held a day of mourning yesterday and a minute’s silence in the youngster’s memory.
Six-time MotoGP champion Marc Márquez posted his condolences to Pau Alsina in an Instagram story, writing: “No words. How unfair life is. Rest in peace, Pau.”