Back of the grid punishment for Bautista
Alvaro Bautista will start next weekend's German MotoGP from the back of the grid, after being official punished for his turn one error at Assen on Saturday.
The eighth on the grid Honda Gresini rider attempted to make up a huge amount of ground by diving for the inside under braking for the first turn, but lost the front of his RCV and wiped out title leader Jorge Lorenzo.
Heavily criticised by his fellow riders, Race Direction took a similarly dim view, penalising the former 125cc world champion - who qualified on pole for the previous British round - with a last place start in the Sachsenring.
The Gresini team appealed the penalty, but this time - unlike in the Marc Marquez/Pol Espargaro Catalunya Moto2 incident - the FIM Stewards upheld the decision of Race Direction.
The full FIM statement can be seen below:
"On Saturday 30 June 2012 during the first lap of the MotoGP race rider Alvaro Bautista (SPA) rode in an irresponsible manner, causing danger to rider Jorge Lorenzo (SPA) which is an infringement to the article N. 1.21.2 of the 2012 FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix regulations.
"The Race Direction decided to impose on Alvaro Bautista the penalty of starting the next race in Sachsenring on 8 July 2012 from the last position on the starting grid.
"An appeal was lodged by San Carlo Honda Gresini.
"The FIM Stewards confirmed the decision of the Race Direction.
"The decision of FIM Stewards is final."
