[flatbutt]

The three penalty points has Rossi starting from the back in Valencia...thats it, the championship goes to Lorenzo.


What was Race Direction’s decision and view on the incident?
“The decision is that Race Direction has imposed three penalty points on Valentino Rossi for irresponsible riding, that is, deliberately causing contact. Deliberately running wide in a corner in order to try and force another rider off line. The result was a crash and so it’s irresponsible riding causing a crash and for that we have imposed three penalty points on Rossi.

"It looked like we were going to have a great race, but unfortunately it ended in an incident that’s controversial. I have to say that the Movistar Yamaha team have appealed against Race Direction’s decision, so now that appeal will be heard by FIM stewards.”

What were the views that the riders expressed to race direction?
“I can give you a general feeling rather than a quote from our hearing, because obviously it a closed door hearing. Marc explained that he was riding his normal race waiting for the tyres to feel good and going fast when he could and slowing down when he had to.

"Valentino was of the opinion that Marc was deliberately slowing the pace of the race down and doing so unfairly. We listened to both riders; our opinion was that there was some fault on both sides, but as far as the rulebook goes Marquez did not make any contact, did not break any rules as such, but we feel that his behaviour was causing problems to Rossi who reacted. Unfortunately he reacted in a way that is against the rules.”

Movistar Yamaha are now appealing, what are the next steps if the appeal is accepted or rejected?
“The FIM stewards here at the race will hear the appeal. There is a time limit of 30 minutes to lodge an appeal, that’s been done. The appeal is underway and they will hear it as soon as possible within the next 30 minutes.

"If Yamaha are not happy with the steward’s decision, they have five days to lodge an appeal with the FIM International Disciplinary Court. So they have five days and then the FIM lawyers get involved to have another hearing.”