MotoGP champions mourn Luca Salvadori after racer and popular YouTuber dies aged 32 following crash

The motorsport world is in mourning after popular bike racer Luca Salvadori died aged 32 from injuries suffered in a crash.

The Italian went down in a multi-bike accident at the International Road Racing Championships in Frohburg, Germany on Saturday local time.

A versatile rider who competed in MotoE last year, he was also an influential YouTuber with 600,000 followers and nearly 500,000 on Instagram.

“He left us pursuing his passion,” wrote his “heartbroken” parents Monica and Maurizio, a music manager and founder of Formula 2 racing team Trident Motorsport.

Salvadori’s partner Veronica Culcasi paid a gut-wrenching tribute on Instagram as she left Frohburg on Sunday night.

“I leave Germany like this, with the sun because you keep shining, and with the rain because even the sky cries for you,” she wrote.

“My heart stays here with you. I hope one day it hurts less.”

In an earlier post, Culcasi wrote: “For me you are this smile, forever.”

Tributes flooded social media, with Salvadori’s impact on the sport felt as MotoGP riders mourned his loss.

Dual world champion Pecco Bagnaia said his friend Salvadori “had become a reference point” for himself and motorsport enthusiasts.

“Whenever he offered an interview or to have a chat, I was always glad to share my thoughts with him, because he was extremely positive person,” the 27-year-old Italian wrote.

“One of those people you want to listen to because they convey a huge passion for what they do and it’s a privilege for a few.

“I’ll never forget those three laps on the track at Portimao we put together... once we returned to the pits he was ecstatic, few times have I seen anyone happier than this.

“He managed to turn his passion into a job and he put his all into it, never giving up, always believing in it.

“Luca will not be missed only by me, everyone will because such people are essential in our world. We’ll miss you.”

Salvadori’s last YouTube upload, just days before his death, was a video from a Ducati ride day at Misano where he was on track with the likes of Bagnaia and MotoGP legend Marc Marquez.

Marquez reposted a photo of the moment, writing “DEP Luca” — rest in peace, Luca.

“Ciao, Luca. Ride In Peace,” Ducati wrote.

Pramac, Salvadori’s former MotoE team, said: “It is tremendously sad to hear about his passing. Rest in peace, Luca.”

MotoE wrote: “We are deeply saddened to hear that Luca Salvadori has passed away. We are thinking of him and send our deepest condolences to his family, friends, colleagues and team at this difficult time.”

Italian motorcycling icon Valentino Rossi reshared a tribute to Salvadori, with the MotoGP team he owns also writing: “Our deepest condolences to Luca Salvadori’s family and friends. Ride in peace, ciao Luca.”