Riders, teams pay tribute to Andrea Antonelli

The World Superbike and Supersport paddock has paid tribute to the late Andrea Antonelli following his tragic death during competition at the Moscow Raceway.

The 25-year-old Italian was competing in the World Supersport race when he fell from his Kawasaki on the back straight and was subsequently collected by the unsighted Lorenzo Zanetti in difficult weather conditions.

With the remainder of the event cancelled as a mark of respect, riders and teams across the paddock have spoken of their shock and sorrow at Antonelli's passing in press releases and on social media.

A selection of tributes from the WSS and WSBK paddock:

Official WSBK statement:
"Everyone involved in motorcycle championships extends its deepest condolences to Andrea's family, friends, team and Italian Federation at this tragic loss."

Sam Lowes (@SamLowes11):
"Very Difficult day. RIP. Andrea Antonelli... thoughts with all close to him. #8"

Jack Kennedy (@JackKennedy14):
"So tough to take the Andrea Antonelli has left us for good it's not fair, thoughts and prayers go out to his family, team and friends R.I.P."

Kev Coghlan (@kevcoghlan):
"Thoughts go out family and friends of Andrea Antonelli. Rest in peace."

Moscow Raceway (@moscowraceway):
"Our hearts go out for Andrea Antonelli. Thoughts with his family."

Althea Racing:
"The Althea Racing Team wishes to extend its deepest condolences to Andrea Antonelli's family, whose son passed away today during the World Supersport race at Moscow Raceway. Andrea was an exceptional rider, who raced in Superstock 1000 with the Althea team in 2008. The team will remember him forever as a humble and joyful boy. As this type of tragic happenings take place, there's no reason to speak about races or results."

Kawasaki Racing
"All in the Kawasaki family and the wider paddock are shocked and saddened by this event and we want to extend our deepest condolences to Andrea's family, his friends and to all in Team Goeleven after this tragic loss."

BMW Motorrad:
"The whole BMW Motorrad GoldBet SBK Team sends its sincere condolences to the family and the team of Italian rider Andrea Antonelli, who died this afternoon in a tragic crash. Our thoughts and prayers are with them in these difficult times."

Pata Honda:
"The Pata Honda team extends its deepest sympathies to the family, friends and team of Andrea."

Alstare Ducati:
"The thoughts of everyone in Ducati and Team Alstare are with Andrea's family, team and everyone that knew him."

Ayrton Badovini:
"I am sorry for the accident in Supersport and for the tragedy involving Antonelli. It's impossible to revel in a podium finish when something of this magnitude happens."

Jeremy McWilliams, RivaMoto team manager:
"This sport can be very cruel and as much as we love it there are occasional days when we hate the consequences of what it brings. Today in Moscow we lost a future star in the making, Andrea Antonelli had everything going for him, he was already a star in the World Supersport paddock and a very talented young rider. Our thoughts go out to Andrea's family, friends and all in Team GoEleven, Team Rivamoto send our deepest sympathy. Godspeed."

Crash.net would also like to extend its deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Andrea Antonelli and everyone at the Go Eleven Kawasaki team.