MotoGP News: Valentino Rossi's #SepangClash Appeal Dismissed

Last Friday, Valentino Rossi filed an appeal against the decision taken by the Race Direction of the Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix in Sepang, penultimate round of the FIM MotoGP Grand Prix World Championship, and confirmed by the FIM Stewards, to award 3 penalty points following the incident that occurred on Turn 14 between Rossi and Marc Marquez. In his appeal, Rossi sought annulment, modification or stay of the FIM Stewards' decision to avoid starting from last position on the grid for #TheGrandFinale race at Valencia.

A preliminary hearing was held on November 4, 2015, at the headquarters of the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne in the matter Valentino Rossi v. the Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme. The FIM was represented by its legal director, Richard Perret. Following the hearing, the CAS issued an order dismissing the application for a stay filed by Rossi concerning the decision rendered on October 25, 2015 by the FIM Stewards. The following is the FIM statement addressing the dismissal:

The CAS ruling on the request for stay of execution does not prejudge the final award on the merits of the case.

In appealing to the CAS against the decision of the FIM Stewards, Mr. Rossi seeks annulment or modification of the FIM Stewards’ decision taken at the Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix in Sepang, in which the FIM Stewards confirmed the 3 penalty points awarded by the Race Direction to Mr Rossi following an incident on Turn 14.

The FIM takes note of the ruling of the CAS.

As a consequence of this ruling, at the Gran Premi de la Comunitat Valenciana, last race of the FIM World Championship Grand Prix, Mr. Rossi will start from the last position on the Grid.