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Fenati Apologizes For Grabbing Rival’s Brake During Race, Does Damage Control

Too little too late: Moto2 rider Romano Fenati has issued a proper apology for his unsporting and very dangerous behavior during Sunday’s San Marino Grand Prix, when he grabbed the brake on Stefano Manzi’s bike at 130mph.
Romano Fenati grabs Stefano Manzi's brake during the 2018 San Marino Grand Prix 5 photos
Photo: Twitter / BTSport
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Video of the incident is available with the tweet below. It’s been dubbed one of the most shocking and dangerously stupid stunts in sports this year, and it certainly lives up to its name. MotoGP officials gave Fenati the black flag for it, disqualifying him from the race and later banning him for the next two races.

On Monday morning, Fenati’s team, the Marinelli Snipers Team, officially dropped him, citing his behavior as the sole reason behind the decision. Also on Monday, perhaps at the heed of a publicist looking to do at least some damage control, Fenati came out with the apology, which he posted on his official website.

In it, he maintains he meant no harm to Manzi, even though he understands this is exactly what could have happened had he not regained control of the bike in time. He also insists he’s always been a “correct” rider and blames such reckless behavior on his tempestuous character.

This morning, with a clear mind, I wish it had been just a bad dream,” he writes. “I think and I think back to those moments, I made a disgraceful gesture, I was not a man! I should not have reacted to provocations. The criticisms are correct and I understand the resentment towards me.”

Fenati says he’s not looking to find excuses for what he’s done, but he does want to say he’s sorry to all those who felt disappointment in seeing him behave this way.

As for why he’s apologizing after he’s already been fired, the clues to that also come from social media, as CNN points out. Fenati has been let go from his team, but it looks like he will also be dropped from his contract with Italian manufacturer MV Augusta, which sponsors the team and which has Fenati on board until the end of the season. In other words, this could be only the beginning.

MV Agusta president Giovanni Castiglioni Instagrammed about the incident, point-blank asking that Fenati be banned for life for his conduct. He stresses he will do whatever he can to see that it happens.

As for Fenati’s claims that he’s always been a sport, the facts seem to contradict him: this isn’t the first outrageous incident he’s been involved in, albeit it was the most potentially dangerous. In 2015, he kicked out a fellow rider and turned off a rival’s engine before a practice start. In 2016, he was dropped for disciplinary reasons for the season.
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About the author: Elena Gorgan
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Elena has been writing for a living since 2006 and, as a journalist, she has put her double major in English and Spanish to good use. She covers automotive and mobility topics like cars and bicycles, and she always knows the shows worth watching on Netflix and friends.
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