Yamaha issue statement following HRC’s accusations
Tensions between Movistar Yamaha and HRC heighten following the Sepang clash
FOLLOWING Honda Racing Corporation’s Q&A, Movistar Yamaha have released a statement disagreeing with HRC’s Executive Vice President Shuhei Nakamoto.
The HRC boss accused Valentino Rossi of kicking Marc Marquez’s front brake lever in the dramatic clash during the Malaysian Grand Prix which caused the Spaniard to crash out of the race.
The statement from Movistar Yamaha reads:
‘We refer to the press release issued by Repsol Media Service on Sunday 25th October 2015, titled “Pedrosa wins and Marquez crashes after unsportsmanlike kick from Rossi”, as well as the press release issued by Honda Racing Corporation on Monday 2nd November, titled “Q&A with Shuhei Nakamoto, HRC Executive Vice President”.
‘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.’
Rossi was handed three penalty points by race direction for this incident which, added to another point, meant he would have to start the final round of the 2015 MotoGP Championship from the back of the grid.
The Italian has since taken race direction's penalty to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to potentially have the penalty points decreased or revoked entirely. CAS will make a decision on or before Friday November 6.
