Moto2: Shoya Tomizawa's #48 retired from racing

MotoGP has announced that, as one of a number of tributes to Shoya Tomizawa, who tragically lost his life in an accident at Misano two weeks' ago, the Japanese star's #48 will be retired from Moto2 racing.

19-year-old Tomizawa took victory in the first ever Moto2 event, at Qatar this season, and was sixth in the championship heading into the San Marino round.

'It has been decided that in recognition of Shoya's contribution to the sport his number 48 will be retired from the Moto2 World Championship, and his family will receive a memorial plaque with his number on it,' said a statement from Dorna Sports.

Tributes to Tomizawa at this weekend's Aragon event include Tomizawa's Technomag-CIP team displaying a miniature version of his bike in the team garage and a large number of riders wearing the Japanese rider's #48 on their leathers, helmets or bikes.

In Thursday's official pre-event press conference Moto2 Championship leader Toni El?as suggested that his fellow riders vote for Tomizawa as the recipient of this season's Michel M?traux trophy - and they have done so unanimously.

The award recognises the best rider in the category as selected by his competitors and Michel Metraux's son Olivier will present the trophy to Shoya's family at the next Grand Prix in Japan, after IRTA collected the votes at Arag?n on Friday morning.

This Sunday the MotoGP community will gather on the main start/finish straight where a minute's silence will be held as a final farewell to Shoya, who was laid to rest in Japan earlier this week.