A former grand prix racer, two-time world champion, and successful MotoGP team owner, Fausto Gresini passed away this morning from complications due to Covid-19. Earlier reports of his death were contested, but the press release below from his team have confirmed what we all have feared. Motorcycle.com sends its best wishes to Gresini’s family, friends, and team members.
Begin press release:
The news we would have never wanted to give, and that unfortunately we are forced to share with all of you. After nearly two months battling against Covid, Fausto Gresini has sadly passed away, few days after turning 60.
All of Gresini Racing are close to Fausto’s family in support: his wife Nadia and the four children Lorenzo, Luca, Alice and Agnese… as well as everyone who had the chance to get to know him and love him throughout the years.
HRC press release:
Ciao Fausto
HRC are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Fausto Gresini at 60 years old, a man who achieved great heights as a rider and as a team owner.
Hailing from Imola, Italy, Fausto Gresini made his World Championship debut in 1983 in the 125cc class, where he would race his entire career as a lightweight specialist. Taking the World Championship in 1985 and 1987, Gresini would join Honda in 1990 until his retirement from racing in 1994. During this time, he claimed three wins and twice finished as World Championship runner-up.
Just a few years later Fausto Gresini would return to the paddock as a satellite Honda team owner in the premier class with Alex Barros. His team would expand in the coming years to compete in both the 500cc and 250cc classes, achieving a first World Championship as a team owner in 2001 with Daijiro Kato on the Honda NSR250. Successes would continue, from 2003 to 2005 a Gresini Honda rider finished as the MotoGP World Championship runner up, twice with Sete Gibernau and then with Marco Melandri.
As a satellite Honda team, Fausto worked with a number of iconic riders including Colin Edwards, Toni Elias, Alex De Angelis, Marco Simoncelli, Hiroshi Aoyama and Alvaro Bautista.
In recent years, Gresini’s Moto3 effort has been able to challenge consistently for the World Championship and in 2018 Jorge Martin took the Honda NSF250RW to the top of the standings.
HRC would like to thank Fausto for his years of collaboration as a rider, a team owner, a partner and as a competitor.
Suzuki press release:
GOODBYE FAUSTO
Team Suzuki Press Office – February 23.
Today, February 23rd 2021, is a very sad day for the MotoGP family, as it has been announced that Fausto Gresini has lost his battle with Covid-19. The whole Suzuki family is saddened by this news and wants to express their condolences first and foremost to the Gresini family, but also to the wider motorcycle racing community which we know to be close, passionate, and warm.
Shinichi Sahara – Team Suzuki Ecstar Project Leader:
“Fausto Gresini was a great rider and a wise and successful Team Manager. Not only is he one of a select group of riders who features in the World Champions list, but after his own career he created strong teams in the MotoGP series that have competed at the highest level; he also became a true promoter of young talents. 2020 has been a tough year for everyone with the situation and we’re extremely sorry that Fausto has fallen victim to this terrible virus.
“As a racing team we live a fast-paced life full of passion, and this was also how Fausto lived his dream as a rider first and with an eponymous team later. He always had a precise and effective team led with his positive attitude and commitment. We have lost a competitor, a colleague, and a friend.
“Our thoughts now turn to his wife Nadia and his children Lorenzo, Luca, Alice and Agnese, as well as with the whole Gresini Racing Team and Aprilia Racing family, together with all the people – and there are many – who have had the privilege to work alongside him and know him personally.”
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