Moto2: Title leader Elias banned from Brno practice!

Moto2 title leader Toni Elias has been banned from Friday practice at Brno for testing at Misano last Sunday.

The Gresini Moriwaki team didn't attempt to hide the test, stating in their official Brno preview:

'Before traveling to the Czech Republic the team completed a short test with Toni Elias at Misano to complete some work on aerodynamic updates and general set-up of his Moriwaki MD600.'

"The team have not stopped working throughout the summer break and recently completed a test at Misano, working on aerodynamics and set-up, in order to give Toni Elias an even more competitive bike," added team manager Fausto Gresini.

But, apparently unbeknown to the team, that outing broke a ban on testing at GP circuits during the summer break and Elias - who starts this weekend's ninth round of 17 with a 42-point lead over Thomas Luthi - has now been penalised and his team fined.

"On Sunday 8th August 2010 rider Toni El?as (SPA) and Gresini Racing Moto2 team (ITA) practiced at the Misano World Circuit, which is an infringement to the Art. 1.15.1.2.iv of the 2010 FIM Road Racing World Championship Grand Prix Regulations," said an FIM statement

"The Race Direction has decided to impose a disqualification of Friday's practice at the Cardion ab Grand Prix Czech Republic and a fine of EUR3,000. No appeal has been lodged. The decision of the Race Direction is final."

Art. 1.15.1.2.iv states that teams are forbidden to practice "At any circuit included in the Grand Prix calendar of the current year during breaks".

A 'break' is defined as "two consecutive week-ends where events are not scheduled."