Extends contract through 2018
Rossi signs a two-year extension with Movistar Yamaha, continuing with the team for 2017 and 2018 seasons.
I am very satisfied with this decision. It has always been my plan to compete in motorsport for as long as I can be competitive and find it enjoyable at the same time.
Must start from back of grid
Rossi will start the final MotoGP race of the season in Valencia from the back of the grid after his penalty is confirmed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). FIM confirms the ruling, but says that the denied request was for the stay of execution, and that there is the possibility that the penalty could be revoked later, but only after it has been served. CAS:
[The arbitration board] found that the conditions to grant the stay were not met, which means that the sanction imposed by FIM, the sport’s ruling body, will have to be served at the next grand prix in Valencia.
Rossi:
When you start last, it’s very difficult to prepare strategies. You have to work well in practice and be competitive and have good pace. For sure when you start last, the risks are a lot more. [The title] depends on me and if I’m strong and fast enough to be able to recover. The answer of the CAS has not arrived yet, today it was just that I have to start last in this race because they need time to decide. We have to wait and see, but the important thing is I have to start last.
Appeals to court after penalty
Rossi appeals to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after he was demoted to the back of the grid in the Valencia GP on Nov 8. He asks for an annulment or reduction of the penalty from three points to one. Rossi also files an application to stay the execution of the decision in order not to lose his place on the starting grid at the Valencia. The court will decide by Nov 6.
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