Loris Capirossi's 22-year grand prix career will come to a close at this weekend's Valencia MotoGP season finale.
But there will be few celebrations, as the former 250cc and double 125cc world champion's thoughts remain with fellow Italian Marco Simoncelli, who lost his life at the previous Sepang round.
"It will be difficult to be in the paddock without Marco, as everyone will miss him," said Capirossi.
"No one will feel like going on the track, but we have to do it for him and for all fans of motorcycle racing.
"It will be my final race, and I still don't know what will be going through my head, but I want to do it as well as possible."
"It will be an unusual race for Loris, as it will be the last of his career. It was supposed to be a party, but no one will feel like celebrating anything," added Pramac Ducati technical director Fabiano Sterlacchini.
Capirossi has won nine races during his premier-class career and finished third in the championship on two occasions.
"I share Capirex's thoughts; it will be really difficult to race at Valencia without Marco, but part of our job is to continue on," stated team-mate Randy de Puniet. "I'll try my best to finish off the season with a good result"
de Puniet is yet to sign for 2012.
source: crash
