The Misano grand prix circuit in Italy is to be renamed in honour of Marco Simoncelli.

Simoncelli was killed in a crash in Malaysia last month but lived less than five miles away from the circuit in his hometown of Cattolica.

Luca Colaiacovo, president of the circuit's board of directors, said: "We owe it to Sic's memory.

"We are happy and proud to associate Misano with Marco Simoncelli, a world-beater in sport and life."

Misano returned to hosting a round of the MotoGP championship in 2007, with Jorge Lorenzo winning there this year.

Simoncelli was fourth in that race but will now be forever associated with the circuit.

"It is a tribute to his family and to the hundreds of thousands of fans that admired his courage and humanity," Colaiacovo added.

"I will meet the family in order to announce our decision and to thank them for both their helpfulness towards us and for the love they've been able to communicate to all of us at this terrible time.

"I will tell them that Marco will carry on being with us forever."

Source - BBC Sport - Misano circuit to be renamed after Marco Simoncelli