Thousands of people lined the streets of the little town of Coriano in Italy's Rimini region to pay tribute to MotoGP rider Marco Simoncelli after his death in the Malaysian Grand Prix.
Stars from the world of motorcyling such as Simoncelli's close friend Valentino Rossi, the seven-time world champion, were present at the Italian's funeral.
His coffin was carried by some of Simoncelli's childhood friends from the town's theatre, where a remembrance room had been set up, to the Santa Maria church where the funeral service was held.
Crowds clapped as the coffin passed and released red balloons emblazoned with the figure 58, the number on Simoncelli's bike when he raced.
His father Paolo, mother Rossella, sister Martina, grandfather and girlfriend Kate were joined in the church by the likes of Rossi and fellow racers Jorge Lorenzo, Randy De Puniet and Mattia Pasini.
Rossi helped push Simoncelli's racing bike behind the coffin as it left the church.
Outside the church, Simoncelli's girlfriend echoed the words of Don McLean in his song dedicated to Vincent Van Gogh saying Simoncelli was perfect and those who are too perfect cannot live amongst us mere mortals.
