Fans wanted to pay their final respects to former MotoGP star Marco Simoncelli and more than 10,000 of them were out in the rain waiting for the chance to get into the city theater of his hometown.

The Honda Gresini rider died tragically last week-end during the Malaysian Grand Prix after being hit by both Colin Edwards and, ironically, by his good friend Valentino Rossi.

Behind Simoncelli's body were placed two motorcycles -- one that he won the 250cc championship with in 2008 and another that he rode this season.

Simoncelli's funeral will be broadcasted live on Italian state TV RAI, Italia 1 and Italy's Sky Sport. Fans are being told to gather at the nearby Misano Adriatico circuit, the site of the San Marino GP, to watch the funeral on giant screens.