Marco Simoncelli’s funeral begins in Italy

The funeral of Marco Simoncelli has started in Coriano today, with thousands of fans paying their respects to the popular Italian MotoGP star.

The 24-year-old died from head, neck and chest trauma after he was involved in an incident with Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi on the second lap of Sunday’s Malaysian Grand Prix at the Sepang International Circuit.

Crew members from his San Carlo Gresini Honda squad carried his coffin into the church of Santa Maria Assunta.

TV pictures showed Simoncelli’s close friend Rossi applauding as the coffin was carried into the church.

Before the service started at 3pm local time, large red balloons bearing Simoncelli’s race number 58 were released.