MotoGP, Rossi demoted: too many laps with the super soft

From 2nd to 20th place in the standings, this is what happened to Valentino Rossi as he watched his best time in FP1 get cut. The reason for this is that the Doctor used the Super Soft front rain tyre (code 1008B) for more than 10 laps.

Michelin and Race Direction had in fact decided that that particular tyre could not be used for more than 10 consecutive laps, including the in and out lap. Valentino completed ten timed laps with that solution at Phillip Island this morning, thus flouting the rule.

For this reason, all of the times he set during that exit were eliminated (for the record, his best was set on lap 10, in 1’40”998). Valentino then returned to the track to make a further two laps, though times were slower. Hence his 'demotion' to 20th position.

"I hadn't understood it was against the rules, I thought it was just a suggestion- Valentino told Sky - In theory I was within the limit, if it weren't for the fact they counted the in and out laps too".

Here are the updated results.