RSV4 from Marco Simoncelli’s Only WSBK Appearance Heads to Coriano Museum
Back in 2009, Marco Simoncelli competed in his only World Superbike race as a wildcard rider. The rider from Coriano only had one test aboard the RSV4, but went on to impress fans.
Though he crashed out while running with the lead pack in race one, Marco Simoncelli – then the 250cc MotoGP Champion – managed a third-place finish in race two.
The 1000cc V4 RSV4 that “Super Sic” competed on went to Aprilia Racing Department, where it was tucked away. But two days following the two-year anniversary of Simoncelli’s untimely passing at Sepang, the superbike was brought back to the spotlight when Marco’s father, Paolo Simoncelli, took delivery of the bike for the Marco Simoncelli Foundation.
The owners of Aprilia, the Piaggo Group, donated the superbike to the foundation, Paolo taking delivery of the bike at the Aprilia Racing Department in Noale. The #58 machine will know be featured in the Coriano Museum that’s dedicated to Marco.
Romano Albesiano (Aprilia Racing Manager) says: “The images of Imola 2009 remain without a doubt in the mind’s eye of all the fans to see a young rider, making his debut on a bike which is basically foreign to him and in a SBK Championship that is definitely not one of the simplest arenas, battle immediately with the best in the class is confirmation of the great potential Marco had.
“After the Gilera 250 that he rode to win the 2008 World Championship, this RSV4 also deserves to go to the Marco Simoncelli Foundation as a symbol and remembrance of one of the best talents in the motorcycle sport world.”