Fenati incident to end up in court?

The fallout from Romano Fenati's brake-grabbing incident at Misano continues, with Italian news agency ANSA.it reporting he could now face a charge of 'private violence'.

The Public Prosecutor of Rimini is said to have opened the investigation for the less serious charge, rather than that of 'attempted murder'.

'Private violence' is akin to a motorist cutting up another driver on the road. The use of such a charge for competitors in a motor race would set a very worrying precedent.

Fenati grabbed rival Stefano Manzi's front brake at high-speed after the pair had clashed repeatedly during their home race at Misano earlier this month. Although extremely dangerous, both riders remained upright.

Fenati received an initial two-race ban, which effectively became six races when the FIM suspended his license until the end of 2018. Fenati's current Snipers team had already sacked him, with MV Agusta also severing their 2019 agreement with the Italian, who has said he might quit racing.

Manzi was handed a grid penalty for his actions at Misano.