Rossi appeal rejected – will start from back of the grid at Valencia

Valentino Rossi’s three penalty points issued for his Sepang collision with Marc Marquez has been upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport – meaning his hopes of lifting a tenth world championship will be severely hampered by a back of the grid start this weekend in Valencia.

The move – somewhat of a surprise considering the court’s normal move of suspending penalties that affect in-play championships – was announced in a press release by the Swiss-based body ahead of the commencement of play this weekend.

The decision means that Rossi will still face a full hearing of the court at some point in the future. If they then decide to dismiss the penalty, it is unsure what further recourse will be left open to him.

FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix

Shell Malaysia Motorcycle Grand Prix

CAS dismisses request by Valentino Rossi for stay of execution of FIM Stewards’ decision

On 4 November 2015, a preliminary hearing was held 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, Mr Richard Perret.

Following the hearing, the CAS issued an Order dismissing the application for a stay filed by Mr Rossi concerning the decision rendered on 25 October 2015 by the FIM Stewards (see Order attached).

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.