Sunday, 05 September 2010 18:14 by Alice Margaria

Following the MotoGP race, everyone in the Misano paddock had only one thing on their minds.

Several people were willing to share their thoughts on the incident, starting Alex de Angelis, who was unfortunately directly involved.

“I am completely distraught over what happened to Shoya. I tried to avoid him, but there was nowhere to go.  I thought I had only hit his bike, and then I found myself on the ground. My thoughts are with his family, and everyone who cared about him.  I don't feel like talking about anything else.  Everything is put into perspective when something like this happens."

“It was a serious accident that involved three riders - Claudio Macchiagodena said, chief medical officer for Dorna - two of them were barely hurt, while the third was immediately in grave condition.  We thought about stopping the race, but the two track doctors were able to quickly move him off the track and treat him in the best way possible.  Therefore we didn't call for the red flag because it wasn't necessary.  We would have only lost valuable time.  Shoya immediately received intensive treatment, as they tended to his abdominal trauma and internal hemorrhaging.  This was the principle cause of death.  Shoya's heart was stopping and starting in an irregular fashion, and when he arrived at the Riccione hospital he was practically in a coma." 

“We didn't deem it necessary to stop the race – Claude Denis added - today is obviously a very sad day for us."

“What happened today is a risk that is always present – Franco Uncini said - even on the street, and has nothing to do with the safety of the Misano circuit.  It is logical that the protective gear must continue to evolve and provide ever more complete protection for the riders."

“We don't work behind a desk - Giacomo Agostini said on Italian TV channel Mediaset - thankfully incidents like this are a lot less common then they used to be, but when you race at300km/h the risk is unavoidable."

And some comments from other riders, all shocked and dismayed:

“Yesterday – Toni Elias recalled – I was in the Clinica Mobile with Tomizawa, and I was talking and joking with him.  And now thinking that he is no longer here is very sad for me.  Even today, we were battling in the race when he was in front of me, and then this incredible tragedy happened. He will remain an indelible image in my life."

“My thoughts are with Shoya Tomizawa – Andrea Dovizioso said - I was informed after the race and the news is like a slap in the face. Two tragic accidents in two races is so terrible and it reminds us how dangerous our job is. The safety commission has improved safety levels so much that we often forget this aspect. I’m so sorry for Tomizawa’s family. Having become a father I can understand that this is the worst thing that can happen for a family. Unfortunately we couldn’t do anything: these were two casualties, two accidents with a similar dynamic where the track-side barriers were not touched. This can happen and this is why our job is so risky."

“There is nothing I have to say about today's race – Marco Melandri stated –  it is a tragic day."