Italian rider Antonelli dies in Superbike crash in Moscow

MOSCOW - Agence France-Presse

In this Saturday, July 20, 2013 photo Kawasaki Go Eleven rider Andrea Antonelli rides his bike during a test drive in Volokolamsk, outside Moscow. Andrea Antonelli died Sunday, July 21, 2013, after losing control of his Kawasaki ZX-6R bike in rainy weather and crashing during the opening lap, said Tatiana Makhina, a spokeswoman for the Moscow Raceway organizers. AP Photo/ str

The Russian Superbike Grand Prix due to take place in Moscow was canceled on Sunday after Italian rider Andrea Antonelli died following an accident, Russian police said.

"The Italian (Antonelli) rider died as a result of his injuries," a police official told the RIA Novosti news agency.

The source said that three riders had been involved in the accident.

Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport said the accident happened on the first lap as the 25-year-old Antonelli lost control of his Kawasaki and was hit by compatriot Lorenzo Zanetti.

Emergency services were quickly on the scene, according to Gazzetta, but Antonelli never regained consciousness.