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Two Motorcycle Riders Killed At Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca

By Lindsay McCane
Published on: 03:04 PST, Jul 20, 2015

Two motorcycle riders were killed at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on Sunday, July 19.

The chain reaction multi-bike accident took place during the MotoAmerica Superbike Superstock 1000 race, leaving Bernat Martinez, of Alberic, Valencia, Spain, 35, and Daniel Rivas Fernandez, of Moana Galicia, Spain, 27, dead, according to Motor Sports Talk, via NBC News.

According to the website, Laguna Seca hosted the 13th and 14th races of the MotoAmerica Superbike Championship last weekend in support of the World Superbike Championship. According to Inside Bay Area Sports, the two motorcycle riders were killed near the start of the second race.

Martinez was transported by ambulance to the Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula in Monterey, where he later succumbed to his injuries, while Fernandez was transported by REACH Medical Air Services to Natividad Medical Center in Salinas, where he also died from the injuries he sustained during the crash.

MotoAmerica president Wayne Rainey issued a statement following the tragedy.

“I really don’t have any words to describe what we all feel,” he said. “First and foremost, is the loss to the families and loved ones. Our sincere condolences goes out to each and every one of them as well as the MotoAmerica family. They are in our thoughts and prayers.” Gill Campbell, the CEO and general manager of Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca, also issued a statement following the rider’s deaths.

“We are deeply saddened to learn the news of the passing of Bernat Martinez and Daniel Rivas,” Campbell said. “Our prayers and hearts go out to their families and teams.”

According to MCNEWS, Chaz Davies made history this weekend at Laguna Seca by taking the first double win for the Ducati Panigale and with it, wins number 11 and 12 for the manufacturer.

“I’m really, really happy with these results, and we’ve definitely seen the fruits of our labor here. The track here perhaps limits our weak points and plays to our strengths, and we were able to put together two really good races that went almost exactly to plan,” Davies said following the race.

“I didn’t think we’d be able to lap in 1.23s but I was able to make some really quick first laps in Race 1, pushing hard for the first twelve or so and then it was all about gap management,” he added. “We made a few small tweaks for race 2 and I think those changes were useful. I took a lot of risks with the rain, and was very worried about crashing but luckily the rain stopped and things went smoothly from there to the finish line. I thank my entire team, Ducati and our sponsors – it’s been a really solid weekend, and a lot better than last year’s outcome of course.”

The Race 1 results, as follows.

  1. Chaz Davies Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Superbike Team
  2. Tom Sykes Kawasaki Racing Team +1.798
  3. Jonathan Rea Kawasaki Racing Team +2.107

The Race 2 results, as follows.

  1. Chaz Davies Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Superbike Team
  2. Tom Sykes Kawasaki Racing Team +1.406
  3. Jonathan Rea Kawasaki Racing Team +1.982

Current standings (9 of 13 rounds completed).

  1. Jonathan Rea Kawasaki Racing Team 407
  2. Tom Sykes Kawasaki Racing Team 282 (-125)
  3. Chaz Davies Aruba.it Racing – Ducati Superbike Team 263 (-144)

[Photo by Donald Miralle / Getty Images]

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