MotoGP community loses Antonio Cobas

Antonio Cobas, Technical director of the Camel Honda team and one of the most recognised and respected engineers in the MotoGP paddock, has died from serious illness at 52 years of age in Barcelona today. The funeral will be held tomorrow in the Catalan capital. Cobas leaves a wife and two children. Sito Pons, Team Principal of Camel Honda, made the following announcement: “It is with great sadness that I have to communicate personally to all our friends and colleagues in the grand prix motor cycle racing community that our dear friend Antonio Cobas passed away this morning, Wednesday 14th April. As Technical Director of the Honda Pons team, Antonio will forever be remembered for his kindness. He has been a true companion to me for more than 25 years and I shall miss him immensely. The fondness with which he will be remembered will lift the spirits of the members of the team to which he dedicated the best years of his personal and professional life. Everyone at Honda Pons wishes to pass on our condolences to his wife and children at such a sad time. I would like to take the opportunity of thanking you all for your support shown to him throughout our time together.” Sito Pons. Cobas’ illness was diagnosed last year, half way through the 2003 season. It forced the Spanish technician to stop working directly with the team although he continued to impart his invaluable advice at every Grand Prix via the internet; analysing the data and information from his home. Cobas had been a part of the motorcycle racing world for almost 30 years. In 1975 he started to build chassis’ and bikes within the World Championship and this led to a creative and innovative phase that later saw many of his ideas adopted as standard. Sito Pons took his first win with a machine constructed specifically for him called the 'Kobas', whilst Alex Crivillé claimed his first 125cc World Championship using the JJ Cobas - Rotax in 1989. Since 1988 he has been linked with the team running, and later directed by, Sito Pons. In ‘88 and 1989 he collaborated with the Catalan rider to obtain back-to-back 250cc World Championships and those he has had under his instruction include Alex Barros, Loris Capirossi, Tohru Ukawa and Max Biaggi. One of the best. Secrets Die with legends. :( God speed.

Shitty deal man. Nobody likes to hear about death.

Well, if you were in to MotoGP you would like to know. Its not good news but its news.

easy bro. I was just stateing that death is a shitty subject and that nobody likes to hear when an importent person who contributed to soceity died from a serious illness. Just the same as its depressing to hear that the bum that lived in the bus shelter died. Thanks for the update.

omfg, your compairing a motoGP legend to a bum on the streets??? :bash Ill mark you down as a "not a motoGP fan":snorkel

for the love bro, I am just simply stating that death sucks, I am not comparing who's better " a legend or a bum" I am just saying that I am sorry to hear the ****in guy is dead and that death sucks. Chalk me up on whatever list you want. its possible that you took my response" nobody likes to hear about death" a little to personal. What I mean't is that nobody likes to hear about people dying period, the fact that this man was importent and he died is unfortunate.

very :(