A biographical tribute to Jason Dupasquier

The MotoGP world lost a young prodigy on Sunday as Swiss Moto3 rider Jason Dupasquier passed away aged 19 as a result of injuries sustained in a horrific accident at the end of Saturday’s Moto3 Qualifying session.

He was born on September 7, 2001 in Bulle, Switzerland. His father, Philippe Dupasquier, was a Motocross rider so his son’s love for bikes came naturally.

Dupasquier would compete in several Swiss Supermoto Championships from 2011 until 2015 and becoming the Swiss National champion over multiple seasons.

The youngster made the switch to circuit racing in 2016, aged 14, and claimed the ADAC NEC Championship Moto3 crown in his maiden year, before then moving onto the Junior World Championship for 2017.

He would impress through the 2017 season, developing as a bright young star before moving onto the Red Bull MotoGP Rookies’ Cup ahead of the 2018 campaign. Unfortunately for the Swiss rider, he broke his femur which stopped him from competing that year.

Dupasquier would instead debut in the Championship in 2019, coming back stronger than before, where he achieved his best finish of fourth in race two in the opening round at Jerez. He would be a regular in the top 10 throughout the season, which earnt him a ride in Moto3 – MotoGP’s lightweight class as he signed a two-year deal with the CarXpert Prüstel GP team.

Throughout the 2020 season, the Swiss rider would finish every race with his best finish of the season coming at Le Mans in the French Grand Prix where he came 17th.

Heading into the 2021 season, Dupasquier stayed with the CarXpert team and in the opening round of the Moto3 championship, he came 10th, his best finish in the class.

Three races later, he improved his best Moto3 finish to seventh at the Spanish Grand Prix at the Jerez circuit, which was a happy hunting ground for the Swiss rider. The Spanish circuit was the same track Dupasquier achieved his best finish in the Red Bull Rookies’ Cup.

Tragically, he was involved in a horrific accident at the end of Saturday’s Moto3 qualifying session ahead of the Italian Grand Prix at Mugello.

Despite the best efforts of the doctors at Florence Hospital, Dupasquier passed away on Sunday morning surrounded by his family, aged 19.

A loss which has sent shockwaves through the MotoGP and wider motorsport community. Many heartfelt condolences poured in for the Swiss rider when the tragic news broke.

Reigning MotoGP World Champion, Joan Mir, sent his condolences to Jason’s family on Twitter:

Hoy es un día muy triste, hemos perdido a uno de los nuestros mientras luchaba por alcanzar su sueño. Toda nuestra fuerza y apoyo para su familia, amigos y equipo. DEP Jason ❤️

Heartbreaking news. Sending all our love and prayers to his family, team and loved ones. RIP Jason ❤️ pic.twitter.com/rJ0oALt6eP

— JoanMir36 (@JoanMirOfficial) May 30, 2021

Eight-time champion Marc Marquez also paid his respects to Dupasquier on Twitter:

Our race ended earlier than expected due to the crash, but the hardest thing today was losing a teammate, a promising youngster. Rest in peace Jason ??#JA50N #ItalianGP pic.twitter.com/SVwoKiPmOL

— Marc Márquez (@marcmarquez93) May 30, 2021