Rossi ‘kicks’ Marquez out of Malaysian MotoGP

Championship leader Valentino Rossi was penalised for colliding with defending champion Marc Marquez in the Malaysian MotoGP which was won by Dani Pedrosa.

Honda's Marc Marquez (front) was shoved off the race by Yamaha's Valentino Rossi in Malaysian MotoGP. REUTERS/Olivia Harris

Honda’s Pedorsa led from start to finish ahead of Yamaha’s Jorge Lorenzo in a race that could decide the fate of this year’s championship.

Though Rossi finished in third place, he was penalised for the incident and will have to start from the back of the grid in the season’s final race which takes place in Valencia next Sunday.

With just a seven points gap between Rossi and Lorenzo going into the final race, Lorenzo is the favourite to win the championship.

The flashpoint between Rossi and Marquez occurred on the 7th lap during a tense, battle for third position.

The alleged incident happened on a corner after Rossi appeared to taunt Marquez, gesturing at him to open up his throttle.

36-year-old Rossi has won nine career world titles, but none since 2009.

Lorenzo and Pedrosa accused Rossi of lifting his leg as Marquez tried to overtake him, possibly impeding the Spaniard, who crashed and had to retire from the race.

Marquez also hit out at Rossi, saying the Italian had kicked the handlebar of his bike.

"We were overtaking at a very fast pace. I don't know what was Valentino [Rossi] thinking. I did not expect him to carry his leg and push my handlebar. That is why I crashed," he said.

Meanwhile, Lorenzo said that the penalty meted out to his Yamaha teammate wasn’t harsh enough.

“If it was another rider, he may be punished much harder. I did not expect this to happen. I am disappointed. It think it is unfair. Valentino got 16 points and Marquez got nothing. I cannot believe anyone will do this kind of thing,” he said.