Doriano Romboni: 1968 – 2013
While competing in Sic Supermoto Day – a race event dedicated to the late Marco Simoncelli at the Sagittario International Circuit in Latina, Italy – former World Championship GP racer Doriano Romboni passed away.
Romboni crashed during the second practice at Sic Supermoto Day, and was struck by another rider. Due to the severity of his injuries, Romboni was transported by helicopter to the Santa Maria Goretti Hospital in Latina. Reports say the medical staff tried all it could, but while in intensive care, the six-time Grand Prix winner died.
Paolo Sesti (FMI – Italian Motorcycling FDederation President) says: “After the fatal incident that led to the death of Doriano Romboni, the cancellation of the event is the right and proper decision in respect of Doriano and his family, with which we share this sad moment. In Doriano we lost a valuable rider, a person of great worth and an esteemed technician, who was loved and appreciated by the motorcycle racing community.”
Romboni, born Dec. 8, 1968, in La Spezia, Italy, debuted in 1989 in the former 125cc World Championship series (Honda). He earned his first win during the Germany Grand Prix at Nurburgring in 1990, and finished fourth overall that year. This earned him a move to the former 250cc, where he competed from 1991 – 1995. He then moved to the former 500cc MotoGP class, where he competed for Aprilia 1996-1997. Aprilia withdrew from the 500cc following the 1997 season, leaving Romboni without a ride. He competed in one 500cc race in 1998 for the Muz-Weber team.
Romboni joined World Superbike in 1999 on a private Ducati, and raced in the series through 2000. But at 2000 Monza World Superbike, Romboni injured his leg following a crash with New Zealand’s Aaron Slight (Honda). The crash occurred as Romboni was running third behind famed Ducati pilots Carl Fogarty and Troy Corser. This put him out, though he returned later that year.
He would not race much from here out, though he competed in the Italian Superbike series in 2003, and some races in World SBK in 2004. Romboni retired after his 2004 season, but remained active in the sport.
Romboni became Sporting Director for Puccetti Racing Team Kawasaki in 2012, the team competing in the Italian CIV Supersport and STK600 classes. Last season, he was nominated as FMI (Italian Motorcycling Federation) Technical Representative for the Puccetti Racing Team to guide and help racer Riccardo Russo.
The staff at UltimateMotorCycling.com expresses its deepest condolences for Romboni, and his family and friends.
