Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/219723
58 Sport maltatoday, SUNDAY, 1 DECEMBER 2013 MOTORCYCLING Doriano Romboni dies in crash at Simoncelli tribute event Italian motorcycle racer Doriano Romboni has died after being struck by another rider's bike at an event in memory of his late compatriot Marco Simoncelli THE popular Simoncelli was killed at the 2011 Malaysian Grand Prix after he lost control and was hit by two bikes. Romboni, 45, was taking part in the Sic Supermoto Day near Rome, when he was involved in an accident that bore tragic echoes of the one that claimed Simoncelli. Reports say the rider ran onto the grass during a practice session but clung on to his bike, swerving back onto the track and into the path of former Italian champion Gianluca Vizziello who could do nothing to avoid colliding with Romboni. The session was immediately stopped and Romboni flown by helicopter to hospital in the town of Latina. However, less than three hours after the incident, doctors announced Romboni's death. The charity event, attended by other well known riders including former world champion Max Biaggi, was set to run throughout the weekend as a tribute to Simoncelli - nicknamed 'Sic' - who died aged 24 in October 2011. Simoncelli suffered fatal injuries when, trying desperately to stay on his bike after running wide, he veered into the path of Italian compatriot Valentino Rossi and American Colin Edwards at the Sepang circuit. Romboni competed between 1996-97 as an Aprilia factory rider in the 500cc category that is now MotoGP and was a race winner in the 125cc and 250cc categories. He also raced in World Superbikes. Doriano Romboni (inset) lies on the ground seconds after the collision FORMULA 1 BOXING Van der Garde hopeful of 'good news' Herbie Hide sentenced to 22 months for drug offences Former WBO heavyweight champion Herbie Hide has been sentenced to 22 months in prison for admitting conspiracy to supply class A drugs Giedo van der Garde GIEDO van der Garde says he is hoping to receive "good news" over his Formula 1 future in the coming weeks, as the Dutchman bids to remain in the top echelon for another term. Van der Garde, 28, made his Grand Prix debut with the Caterham squad this year, on the back of a fourth GP2 campaign and selected practice outings for the Leafield-based outfit in 2012. And having shown significant signs of progress in the second half of his rookie season, which featured a pair of Q2 appearances, he is optimistic about prolonging his stay in the sport. "I think I've shown that I'm a team leader, especially in the second half of the year," van der Garde explained to GPUpdate.net. "The team is very satisfied with me and the progress that I've made. "We shall see – we are talking with them as well. My management is quite busy now and hopefully we can have some good news soon." Asked if Caterham has the potential to move up the grid in 2014, van der Garde added: "I know they are very busy with next year's car and I've heard the steps they are making are quite big. "But we don't know what the other teams are doing. We will find out at the first tests next year." Earlier this month, 2013 teammate Charles Pic admitted to uncertainty over his Formula 1 future. Herbie Hide CAMBRIDGE Crown Court heard how Hide, 42, had been stung by 'fake Sheikh' Mazher Mahmood in a Norwich hotel earlier this year. After Mahmood had made a remark about the lack of quality cocaine in Norwich, Hide arranged for 'my man' - co-defendant Ben Sharman - to obtain four grams of the drug, worth £400, which he then handed over to the reporter. The court heard that when tested, the drugs were found to be 'absolute rubbish', containing only 0.1498 grams of pure cocaine. Hide has had many run-ins with the law. Previous convictions including criminal damage, battery and threatening behaviour. Martin Budworth, mitigating for Hide, said Sun reporter Mahmood and his assistant had pursued his client 'relentlessly' despite his attempts to remove himself from the encounter. Judge Mark Lucraft QC said he reduced the sentence for Hide, partly because of the 'sting' element. Sharman was sentenced to 20 months, which included an unrelated burglary. Nigerian-born but raised in Norfolk, Hide was WBO heavyweight champion twice in the 1990s, first in 1994 and again holding the belt between 1997-98 before losing to Vitali Klitschko. He has since faded into obscurity, with legal and personal problems culminating in his latest disgrace. YOUR FIRST CLICK OF THE DAY www.maltatoday.com.mt