Tributes from across the motorcycle racing community have poured in to honour 15-year old racer Dean Berta Vinales following his death in an accident during the WorldSSP 300 race in Jerez.
Vinales - cousin of MotoGP rider Maverick and WorldSBK racer Isaac - suffered fatal head injuries after being involved in a multi-rider collision at Turn 2 on Lap 11 of the first WorldSSP 300 race.
Competing in the Vinales Racing Team - managed by Maverick and Isaac’s father, Angel Vinales - the youngster had just returned to action following a brief spell out due to a dispute between the outfit and motorcycle supplier Yamaha.
The comeback yielded his best results of the season, Vinales scoring a best of fourth at Magny-Cours and a sixth place in Barcelona last weekend.
Vinales Racing Team
“It's with the heaviest of hearts that we announce the passing of Dean Berta Viñales. We're devastated, and at this time all of our thoughts are with Dean's family. You'll be sorely missed and never forgotten, Dean.”
Andrea Dosoli on behalf of Yamaha Motor Europe
“While we are all aware of the risks involved in motorcycle racing, it doesn’t make it any easier when the sport claims a life as it has done today. Dean Berta Viñales started his World Championship career this season and his recent results marked him out as a future star of the class. Although mere words cannot bring comfort at this time, everyone at Yamaha Racing offers their sincere condolences to Dean's family, friends, and team."
Always in our hearts and never forgotten.
Dean Berta Viñales pic.twitter.com/h7wZ8tYB8o
— WorldSBK (@WorldSBK) September 25, 2021
Kawasaki Racing Team
“Spanish rider Dean Berta Viñales has passed away after succumbing to injuries sustained during a multi-rider incident near the end of the first WorldSP300 race at the Circuito de Jerez on 25 September. Kawasaki and KRT send their sincere condolences to Dean's family, friends and the Viñales Racing Team.”
Barni Racing Team
“The Barni Racing Team would like to express his sincere condolences on the death of Dean Berta Viñales. The young talent of Yamaha was victim of a serious incident in the World Supersport 300 category.”
Honda HRC WorldSBK Team
“We are all shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Dean Berta Viñales in today’s Supersport 300 World Championship’s Race 1 at the Circuit de Jerez in Spain. Honda and the entire Team HRC send their sincerest condolences to Dean’s family, friends, and team.”
Vinales’ death has shocked the motorcycle community, with the last fatality at a WorldSBK event occurring in 2013 when Andrea Antonelli was killed during the WorldSSP race at the Moscow Raceway.
