Tributes are paid to Moto2 rider Luis Salom at the Circuit de Catalunya on Sunday (June 5).

There was a sombre start to race day at the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit - as teams, riders and fans paid tribute to fallen rider Luis Salom.

The 24 year-old Spanish Moto2 SAG team pilot crashed into an air fence heading into the right-handed Turn 12 during Free Practice on Friday.

Salom was in cardiac arrest when doctors arrived at the scene and was transported to hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries.

The MotoGP community massed on the start/finish straight to pay tribute to the tenacious and fun-loving rider, who rode with the number 39 - and was widely referred to in the paddock by his nickname, the 'Mexicano'.

A minute silence took place, with Salom's team standing behind his motorcycle and displaying 'always in our hearts' on their pit board.

As a result of the incident race officials opted to use the Formula One track layout at the Barcelona-Catalunya circuit, which forces cars to go through a chicane just before Turn 12, for both Saturday and Sunday.

Salom was a title challenger in the Moto3 class in 2012 and 2013 - before moving up to Moto2 in 2014.

He had a total of 22 podium finishes, with nine wins and four pole positions in the lightweight class.