Rossi demoted to back of the grid in Valencia

Valentino Rossi will be forced to start the final MotoGP race of the season in Valencia from the back of the grid, after race directors deemed him responsible for a clash involving Honda’s Marc Marquez.

The two riders were embroiled in an emphatic battle for third position in today’s Malaysian Grand Prix, which ended in controversial circumstances. Rossi ran wide at turn 14, leaving Marquez with no space and forcing him out of the race. Replays showed Rossi looking back twice towards the Spanish rider, indicating he was aware of his presence.

While Marquez was forced to park his damaged bike in the pits, Rossi continued to secure the final spot on the podium.

The race director, after carefully looking back at the incident, handed three penalty points on Rossi’s license, demoting him to back of the grid at the next race in Valencia. His result at Sepang, however, remains intact leading to criticism from various quarters.