Not even seven days after Jason Dupasquier’s death and just ahead of the imminent Barcelona GP, it is impossible not to remember another young talent who was gone too soon. We’re talking about Luis Salom of course, a rider who lost his life during the Barcelona race weekend.

Tragic fatality

Salom was on track for FP2 during the 2016 Barcelona GP. After returning to the track after a pitstop, he ran long at turn 12, a point where riders reach 180 km/h, and was hit by his own bike, which bounced against the air fencing situated outside the turn. A sequence of tragic events, not helped by a lack of gravel in the first part of the turn’s run-off area.

The 22-year old Spaniard’s career was thus brought to an abrupt end. In his third Moto2 season, the rider had already scored three podiums, the last of which in the inaugural 2016 round in Qatar. He also just missed out on the Moto3 world title in 2013.

Following on from the “Mexicano”’s accident (Luis’ nickname), the Barcelona circuit underwent various modifications, both to reduce speed through the final section and to increase the run-off areas, but unfortunately this all came too late, as the Majorcan had already left the garage for the last time.

Translated by Heather Watson

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