| May 30, 2021
The racing world was rocked by news of the tragic passing of Jason Dupasquier on Sunday, after the 19-year old succumbed to injuries received in a qualifying incident at the Italian MotoGP. The Swiss was involved in a high-speed crash during Moto3 qualifying that also involved Ayumu Sasaki and Jeremy Alcoba, both of whom were unhurt.
The seriousness of Dupasquier’s condition soon became apparent as medics worked on him trackside for 30 minutes, where he was put in a “hemodynamically stable” state before being transferred to Careggi Hospital in Florence by helicopter. On Saturday afternoon Giancarlo di Filippo, MotoGP FIM medical officer, admitted he was “in a very serious condition.”
There were no improvements overnight and confirmation of Dupasquier’s death came through just after noon on Sunday. The incident cast a huge shadow over race day at Mugello, with several riders—Pecco Bagnaia and Danilo Petrucci included—stating they wished racing had been cancelled. A minute of silence was held just 10 minutes before the MotoGP race start and each of the podium finishers dedicated their results to the fallen rider.
Hailing from Bulle in Switzerland, Dupasquier began his life on two wheels competing aboard Supermoto machines, picking up multiple national titles in his homeland. Soon he was honing his craft circuit racing, taking the ADAC NEC Championship Moto3 crown in 2016 and stepping up to the Junior Moto3 World Championship the following year.
A move to the Red Bull Rookies Cup in 2018 was eventually delayed after Jason broke his femur in the second round of that year’s CEV Moto3 Junior World Championship, keeping him out for the rest of the season. But his comeback from injury the following year was impressive, as he became a top 10 regular in the Red Bull Rookies Cup as he finished eighth overall.
A move to the Moto3 World Championship with the CarXpert PruestelGP KTM squad was just reward for his efforts. And while his rookie campaign in 2020 was a testing one, in which Jason failed to score a point, he returned reinvigorated in 2021. His progress was pronounced, scoring points in each outing prior to the Italian Grand Prix—including a best result of seventh at Jerez—to sit 10th in the World Championship standings.
On Sunday afternoon, Ducati’s Jack Miller led the tributes. “I see a lot of similarities with myself and Jason. Last year he was a little bit out of his depth. But he really started digging and working and this year we started seeing some great speed from him. But he was taken away from us far too early. It’s a great shame. A tragedy.”
Moto2 race winner Remy Gardner added, “I didn’t personally know him. I’d seen him around the paddock. He looked like a really great kid. Motorcycles can be bitches sometimes, I tell you. It’s a tough sport. We accept the risks. We need to enjoy every single good day we have. It’s so sad. I’m lost for words. I should be super happy today but I don’t know what to say—just sorry to his family and friends. I hope they can get through this.”
Dupasquier’s death was the first at a grand prix event since Luis Salom was killed at the 2016 Grand Prix of Barcelona.
Everyone at Cycle News would like to extend their deepest condolences to Jason’s family, friends, and team in this tough time. Neil Morrison
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