Italian Racer Told to Cut Curls

When Marco Simoncelli clinched the 250cc MotoGP world motorcycle championship in Malaysia, fellow racer Valentino Rossi told him to cut his shaggy, trademark curls.

“Well done, Marco, but now cut your hair,” Rossi said.

“He has been fantastic. He has grown up and surprised me. However, he is horrendous without a helmet.”

Simoncelli is unmistakable off the track, with an enormous mound of curls springing up whenever he removes his helmet.

Rossi once sported a curly afro haircut similar to Simoncelli’s, but in 2007 opted for a short, cropped style.