Valentino Rossi’s stepfather commits suicide

Valentino Rossi was rocked by a personal tragedy on the eve of the Phillip Island MotoGP race, with news of the suicide of the Italian’s stepfather.

Mauro Tecchi, second husband of Rossi’s mother Stefania Palma, was found dead with gunshot wounds at his home in Pesaro on Friday. Tecchi was 52 and had been married to Palma for two years.

Rossi’s Fiat Yamaha team informed the reigning world champion of the news shortly before Saturday morning’s second free practice session.

Rossi said: “This is a terrible thing. I don’t know what to say.”