VISIT TO CORIANO. HOME OF MARCO SIMONCELLI
We left our home in the south of Austria at about 10 am on Tuesday 17th January 2012. After about 30 minutes we drop down into northern Italy from the snowy alpine mountains to the flatter lands in Italy as we head for the Adriatic coast. After a couple of hours we pass the outskirts of Venice. The coastal fog and heavy frost stay with us as we get closer to Bologna and turn towards the coast. We reach our destination, Ravenna at about 3 pm. The town is quite big with lots of traffic but with Jackie doing the map reading, we find the hotel without too much bother. Just before it gets dark we walk into the old town and look at the sights before having dinner and then walking back to the hotel at about 9 pm. The freezing fog had come back with a vengeance.
We woke on Wednesday and, after breakfast, set off for our 10am meeting with Giandomenico (John) Boni (a founder of Wind Trading srl - www.windtrading.it). This is why we had come to Ravenna. Ravenna and the surrounding area, is to GP racing as Northampton is to Formula 1. Many famous riders live in this area and many companies involved in the racing, operate within the small triangle from Bologna in the west to Ravenna on the east coast and down to San Remo, in the south. John is a friend of a friend and has been involved with motorbike parts (street & racing) for many years. He had dealings with Marco and the family (in a sponsorship way) since the early days of 125’s and had become a close family friend. This is how John became the link between us and Paolo.
The first thing was to present John with a framed copy of the Marco picture and a copy of Haga on the Aprillia ‘Cube’ from 2002. I remember drawing the Wind Trading logo and thought he would appreciate the gift.
After some coffee and a chat , John gave us a tour round their concern. We then set off in John’s car towards Marco’s home in Coriano. Around half an hour later we came off the motorway and picked our way through the countryside and on the outskirts of the village, in a region of rolling hills, we pulled up outside Marco’s home.
With the fog now lifting and the sun starting to break through, it somehow made the whole thing seem less surreal, more welcoming.
The way Paolo and the two dogs came to greet us like old friends was amazing. Immediately I felt relaxed but very emotional. We all went into the house, shook hands and hugged. I quickly unwrapped the framed picture and showed it Paolo. He was amazed. John had told us before that Paolo couldn’t believe the generosity of people. Not only with their money but also with their emotions. He still finds it difficult to accept that Marco meant so much to so many. He is a simple man, they are simple family. A family in the real sense of the word. Paolo is a very quiet, shy sort of guy that finds all the attention somewhat humbling. I explained that the 58 copies of the picture were all sold within a week. This again took him back a bit, he was truly surprised at the level of love that people had shown for Marco.
We sat around the family table drinking coffee and talking about what had happened. Paolo doesn’t speak English and we don’t speak any Italian so John did all the translating. Paolo apologised for not being able to communicate his feelings, but it was obvious, the language of emotion is universal. Rosella, Paolo’s wife, came into the house, returning from the shops. She gave us all hug and again thanked us.
At one point, I’m afraid it all became too much for me and I started to cry (Jackie too). Rosella and Jackie patted me on the back and I composed myself and carried on talking. It was difficult being in the house where Marco had lived. Memorabilia, helmets, trophies, photos were next to us. It was easy to imagine Marco’s big gangly frame and personality dominating this house when he was around. But today it was quiet and serene, even the two dogs looked like they were waiting for him to come home.
There was evidence around of all the letters, pictures etc. that had been sent to the family after the accident. Dozens of pictures drawn by local kids and kids from all over. Some of these are now available to see on Marco’s Official Facebook page www.facebook.com/#!/58marcosimoncelli.
We explained that we would be doing more to raise money for the Foundation and once again Paolo was filled with gratitude. He really does realise that Jackie and I are the messengers and that each and every one of you that have bought the picture have contributed to the Foundation. After, we wished him good luck for Friday 20th January, Marco’s birthday, and the official launch day of the Foundation. We were invited back anytime, and this was a genuine offer. Paolo gave us a bunch of stuff from the Foundation and we said our goodbyes.
John drove us to the main square in Coriano. You can see from the pictures what an effect this young guy and the family had on the community.
After, we went for some lunch in a local restaurant where Marco used to go. Fabulous simple Italian food. I felt like I had been beaten about the head with a cushion but, for the first time, I felt that the picture, the sales, the donation was the right thing to have done.
John explained that they reckoned the celebration day on Friday would raise approximately Euro 100,000 for the Foundation however, he then said that after costs etc the actual amount going to the Foundation would be approximately Euro 30,000!!! So ‘our’ donation of close to Euro 5,000 was substantial.
So what did I learn in the last 2 days? Marco was a naturally talented rider. He was a family guy in the true sense of the word. He was upset by other riders and the press accusing him of being a ‘risky’ or dangerous rider. He just wanted to win! John said that if you walked passed him 20 times in the pits he would stop and say hello to you 20 times. The family are devastated by what happened. They are genuine and cannot quite believe the love that people have for Marco and his ‘saint’ like status.
My own view is that I wished I’d have got to know him. Racing has lost an amazing ambassador. Let’s just hope that racing doesn’t become too sterile. Where sponsors and teams complain about hard overtakes or unfair moves. Racing is racing. It’s risky, it’s dangerous, and that’s why people love it. If sponsors and teams are frightened about their rider getting his leathers dirty or the bike scratched, get out of racing and go and sponsor croquet! We need people like Marco. Racing needs people like Marco.
We will continue to raise money, for the Foundation, in any way we can. You can see updated information on the Foundation at: www.marcosimoncellifondazione.it/
Steve
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