Fatal crash in Superbike race at Laguna Seca ruled accidental.

A horrific crash at the start of Sunday evening’s Superbike race at Laguna Seca that killed two riders and injured four others is being ruled accidental.

The incident took place just before 5pm, moments after the start of the MotoAmerica Superbike/Superstock 1000 race. Multiple motorcyclists collided, causing a pileup, at the start/finish bridge as racers sped up the hill towards turn 1. Two Spanish riders, 35-year-old Bernat Martinez and 27-year-old Daniel Rivas Fernandez, died from their injuries sustained in the crash. Four other riders were taken to the medical center at the racetrack and were released later Sunday evening.

According to MotoAmerica Communications Manager Paul Carruthers, the Monterey County Sheriff’s Office met with track officials at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca on Sunday after the crash.

“They decided it was a racing accident,” says Carruthers. “There have been various reports of mechanical problems right after the start of the race.”

Rain and thunderstorms on Sunday morning threatened the races, but all five races scheduled for the day started on time and and the skies were mostly clear and sunny for the 4:45pm race start of the final race.

According to a press release from MotoAmerica, Martinez was taken by ambulance to the Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula where he died and Rivas was taken by helicopter to Natividad Medical Center in Salinas where he died.

“It’s part of racing,” says Carruthers. “These things happen. Ultimately you honor the fallen and you move on.”

The race was the final one of the day and a support class for the larger World Superbike headlining race.