Neither a public holiday nor a strong snow fall could keep hundreds of Marco Simoncelli fans from turning up at the town of Coriano for the presentation of the Simoncelli memorial and the exhibition that followed.
The day began with the unveiling of the Sic’s Podium, which is a podium built of three blocks of white marble, located permanently on the left side of the church close to Marco Simoncelli’s final resting place. The podium is accompanied by a glass plaque with the following text “Mi piacerebbe essere ricordato come uno che in gara sapeva emozionare.” (I’d like to be remembered as someone who knew how to give emotions when racing). The exhibition which was called the ‘History of Sic’ had various items that Simoncelli used over his career. It had fifteen helmets, twelve leather racing suits, the #58 Gilera that he won at the 2008 250cc World Championship, mini-bikes, go-karts and even his podium champagne bottles. Apart from these there were several items from his personal life and also a replica of his San Carlo Honda Gresini team pit.
An overwhelmed Paolo Simoncelli had the following to say:
“It’s a nice thought by the people of Coriano, the town and all those who contributed to this and we’re happy as a family. It’s the least we could do, he has given so much, I think Coriano owed it to him. In this museum there is Marco’s lifetime from the beginning to end. Everyone will look at it with his own eyes and his thoughts. My thoughts? I’d rather keep them to myself.”
