Yamaha: Rossi did not kick Marquez
Yamaha issues a statement refuting claims made by Honda that Rossi kicked Marquez.
Yamaha would like to express its disagreement with the words that have been used to report on the incident between riders Valentino Rossi and Marc Marquez. Both press releases included words that accuse Valentino Rossi of kicking Marc Marquez‘s bike that is something not proven by the investigation of the Race Direction.We therefore reject the wording used in the said published statements that do not correspond with the findings of the Race Direction. Yamaha has no wish to enter into further discussion regarding this unfortunate affair and our desire is to conclude the 2015 MotoGP season in the best possible way. We go to Valencia with the clear intention of trying our best to win what we hope will be a memorable final race with all riders and teams competing in an exemplary sportsmanlike manner befitting the top category of motorcycle racing.
Marquez: ‘I have never felt like this’
Marquez says he has never experienced anything like his recent troubles with Rossi.
During my career I have had many battles, but I never have I felt this. On that corner Valentino passed me, but then I saw he was completely straight and looking at me and stopping a lot. I was just waiting because there was nothing to do at that point and then I saw with his leg he pushed my arm and my front brake, and then I locked the front wheel and crashed.
In response to the accusation of deliberately interfering in the title battle in recent races:
You know I don’t want to be involved more in the championship. Valentino surprised everybody [with his comments], but I didn’t consider that because I just did my weekend [at Phillip Island]. Of course we can fight, we can overtake, we can have small contact, but in [Malaysia] until that moment we never had contact. I don’t know how inside the helmet you can think to push out another rider with your leg. I’ve never seen that. OK, I am very young, but I am disappointed.
Honda: Data shows Rossi Kicked Marquez
Nakamoto says that, while video evidence is inconclusive, data from Marquez bike shows that Rossi kicked Marquez.
First of all, we would like to state that we believe it is very important to speak about the facts, not about assumptions. A fact is a fact and there is only one interpretation…It is clear that Valentino intentionally pushed Marc towards the outside of the track, which is out of the rules, therefore Marc had no other option other than to run wide. The data from Marc’s bike shows that even though he was picking up the bike trying to avoid contact with Valentino, his front brake lever suddenly received an impact that locked the front tyre, which is the reason for his crash. We believe that this pressure was a result of Rossi’s kick. The data acquisition from Marc’s bike is available if anybody from Dorna, the FIM or media want to check.
I know Marc well. He is a good guy, with strong and honest values. Marc was just trying to defend his position, as any rider would do, and we believe him 100%.
We respect the decision of Race Direction and don’t want to pass judgement if the penalty they administered was right or wrong. However, we do believe there was enough evidence to allow them to take a decision during the race, it was not necessary to wait until the end.
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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Robot biker challenges Rossi
Yamaha releases MOTOBOT, an autonomous motorcycle-riding humanoid robot. The robot has a rigid torso and legs, and arms jointed at the shoulders and wrists but not elbows. The robot rides a 1,000cc R1M superbike, modified with outrigger-mounted wheels. Yamaha wants develop the robot to ride an unmodified motorcycle on a racetrack at more than 200 km/h. In the video, MOTOBOT challenges Rossi.
The way you ride is both beautiful and exciting. I am improving my skills every day but I am not sure I could even beat the five-year-old you. Perhaps if I learn everything about you, I will be able to catch up. I am not human, but there has to be something only I am capable of. I am MOTOBOT. I was created to surpass you.
Will race in Valencia
Rossi tweets that he will race in Valencia.
Reading all your messages has allowed me to overcome my bitterness and anger and today, we’ll be starting work on Valencia! Thanks for all your support.
Grazie a tutti per il fantastico supporto,leggervi mi ha aiutato a superare amarezza e incazzatura.
Da oggi si lavora per Valencia.— Valentino Rossi (@ValeYellow46) October 27, 2015
Over 380,000 fans sign petition
A petition (link) to try and force MotoGP officials to drop Rossi’s penalty gets over 380,000 signatures. The petition, started by Nicholas Davis, of Virginia Water in the UK, says:
The integrity of MotoGP is falling into disgrace. You have just condoned dirty racing tactics by punishing Valentino Rossi for pursuing the championship whilst being harassed and sabotaged by Marc Marquez. Justifying your decision by stating that there is no rule to deal with the actions of Marc Marquez is as absurd as saying there is no rule to prevent riders shooting at other riders with guns.
Comments on penalty
Rossi comments on his penalty to the Italian media.
The sanction is almost definitive: to start last in Valencia equals not having any chance of making it. This way the championship is distorted. I gave everything to win this title. Losing it on track is one thing, this way hurts a lot more. Should it help, Marquez would let Lorenzo through on the last lap [at Valencia].
He also says he may not race at Valencia, but that comment is played down by Yamaha.
Explains appeal
Yamaha Motor Racing Managing Director Jarvis explains Rossi’s appeal.
Our job as a team is to protect the interests of our riders, so while we cannot deny that Valentino’s move is not the sort of move that we want to see in MotoGP, at the same time we feel the penalty is quite harsh, especially when Valentino is not normally a dirty rider. He’s not a rider that creates issues or problems for other people. As a team, we appealed to the FIM and the first decision of the race control. They heard him, also consulted race direction, consulted Marc Marquez and Honda, and finally after a period of 45 minutes we have the results of the appeal, which was rejected. The original penalty of three points against Valentino stands, and in the process of appealing, if the FIM steward rejects your appeal and agrees with the original decision, it is no longer appealable – it becomes final. It’s case closed. That means now that Valentino Rossi will go to Valencia with this penalty.
If anything, knowing him [Rossi], this will probably make him more motivated to come back and to try to do another memorable season like this. And the championship isn’t over – you have to keep that in mind. He has a seven-point lead, and while he’s at a massive disadvantage starting from the back, in racing anything can happen. You never know if he can salvage something. Anything can happen.
Three point penalty
Following a post-race investigation, Rossi is given three penalty points and will start the final race of the season from the back of the grid after kicking Marquez off his bike during the Malaysian Grand Prix. MotoGP race director Webb:
It’s irresponsible riding causing a crash and for that we have imposed three penalties points on Rossi.
Rossi now leads Lorenzo by just seven points in the championship. Rossi:
Unfortunately, I lose a lot of time with Marc. And in turn 14, I tried to go a bit wide to take a better line and make him slow. He came to me and I think he crashed in that moment. His handlebar touched my foot and my foot slipped off, a bike can’t crash only with a touch. He has won his fight, he made me lose the championship.
Yamaha have said they will appeal against the sanction.
Marquez, Rossi clash
After being overtaken by Marquez in the 13th lap of the Sepang GP, Rossi runs Marquez wide and when Marquez’s Honda gets too close, Rossi pushes his leg against the bike. Marquez falls off his bike and is forced to retire. Rossi continues and finishes in third place. The race is won by Jorge Lorenzo. Marquez:
We were having a good race up until the incident – we started a fight between us and I always passed without making contact with him. At Turn 14 he passed me on the inside and I saw him looking at me. I didn’t know what to do. Then he kicked out at me, knocking my brake lever, and I crashed. Both what Valentino said to race direction and what he did on the track has made me disappointed. I’ve never seen anything like it: a rider kicking another rider.
Disaster for @marcmarquez93 as he and @ValeYellow46 collide on track, #MarquezVsRossi https://t.co/zechiZeTyJ
— MotoGP™🏁 (@MotoGP) October 25, 2015
‘Marquez would prefer Lorenzo to win’
Rossi speaks to the Italian media about his comments on Marc Marquez helping out Jorge Lorenzo.
In the race I noticed it, but I did not understand; Marquez was a step above everyone, but instead of trying to try to battle Lorenzo, he stayed with me to fight with Iannone and others. He knew that I was losing out to the Ducati on the straight. And so every time I tried to pass him, he re-overtook me (super-aggressive, but thats the way it is). But then he slowed to create a gap to Jorge. His bad luck was that on Sunday Jorge was not so strong, because otherwise it would have been over already. Instead, he always kept Jorge in check, knowing that he could catch him within 3 laps, and then tried to slow me and Iannone, perhaps trying to put other riders between me and Lorenzo. And in the end, that’s what he did. It is clearly quite worrying, but it doesn’t worry me too much. [He did this ] because he would prefer Lorenzo to win. He is angry at me for a personal matter. Although he never said it, he thinks that in Argentina I made him crash; and then at Assen he is still thinking about the last chicane, in his head he feels he should have won that race. Since then he has been angry and thinking like a child: I do not win, but you do not win either. At this point, the lesser evil is for him is for Lorenzo to win.
British GP interview
Rossi talks about the British GP at Silverstone.
Silverstone is a great track. Very difficult, very long, but full of history. Last year was not so bad. For sure there will be harder, maybe difficult conditions, maybe cold, maybe rain, so we have to be ready for all aspects.
First 500c win
Despite a poor start, Rossi charges through the pack on a wet track to get his first win in the 500cc class, at the British GP at Donington Park, ahead of Kenny Roberts Jr. and Jeremy McWilliams.
Valentino Rossi born in Urbino, Italy
Rossi is born in Urbino, Italy, of Graziano and Stefina Rossi, and is brought up in the nearly city of Tavullia. His father, a former motorcycle racer, teaches him to ride a motorbike. Concerned for his safety, his mother forces his father to buy Rossi a kart, which his father upgrades from 60cc motor to 100cc.