João Paulino da Silva Júnior, mostly known by his nickname "Marronzinho", was one of the most successful Brazilian motocross riders of his generation. Born in Laguna, Santa Catarina, Marronzinho began competing professionally in 1991 - following steps of his father, from whom he inherited the name, the nickname and the passion for the sport.
In twenty years of racing Marronzinho collected an impressive series of titles, which included no less than three Brazilian national championships.
On Tuesday, 26 June 2012 Marronzinho carried out a private test at Potecas, Silva was checking his number 7 motorcycle in sight of the fifth round of the Brazilian Motorcycle Championship, that would be held in Sorriso, Mato Grosso, the following weekend. Carlos Campano and Gabriel Gentil, his team mates at Yamaha Grupo Geração Monster Energy Circuit squad, also participated in that test. Other people at the track included Djohnny Luis de Aquino, a friend of Silva's and also a motorcycle rider.
At approximately 11h00, when he was on his seventh lap, Marronzinho suffered a very serious fall at the "Ribs", a long series of low obstacles at the track - at the same place in which he had had another accident the previous year. Aquino witnessed the accident and stated that the crown of Marronzinho's motorcycle broke, impeding him of properly landing between the obstacles. The Yamaha tilted forward and its front wheel hit the crest of one of the ribs, throwing Silva over the handlebar. He fell head-first against another rib, in a violent impact.
The medical helicopter arrived at the track 12 minutes after the accident, but its crew could only confirm that João Paulino da Silva Júnior, aged 29, had passed away.
R.I.P
In twenty years of racing Marronzinho collected an impressive series of titles, which included no less than three Brazilian national championships.
On Tuesday, 26 June 2012 Marronzinho carried out a private test at Potecas, Silva was checking his number 7 motorcycle in sight of the fifth round of the Brazilian Motorcycle Championship, that would be held in Sorriso, Mato Grosso, the following weekend. Carlos Campano and Gabriel Gentil, his team mates at Yamaha Grupo Geração Monster Energy Circuit squad, also participated in that test. Other people at the track included Djohnny Luis de Aquino, a friend of Silva's and also a motorcycle rider.
At approximately 11h00, when he was on his seventh lap, Marronzinho suffered a very serious fall at the "Ribs", a long series of low obstacles at the track - at the same place in which he had had another accident the previous year. Aquino witnessed the accident and stated that the crown of Marronzinho's motorcycle broke, impeding him of properly landing between the obstacles. The Yamaha tilted forward and its front wheel hit the crest of one of the ribs, throwing Silva over the handlebar. He fell head-first against another rib, in a violent impact.
The medical helicopter arrived at the track 12 minutes after the accident, but its crew could only confirm that João Paulino da Silva Júnior, aged 29, had passed away.
R.I.P
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