Valentino Rossi says he hopes to 'fight for the tiꦰtle on equal terms' with his Movistar Yamaha team-ma💞te Jorge Lorenzo, as he awaits a decision from the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on a request to suspend his Sepang penalty.

Rossi, who leads Lorenzo by seven points heading into this w𓄧eekend's championship showdown at Valencia, received three penalty points for causing a 🌳collision that sent Marc Marquez out of the Malaysian race - and is due to start last on the grid at Valencia as a result.

To avoid such a setback Rossi has appealed to the CAS to reduce or annul his Sepangꦐ penalty - but since such a decision could take months, he has also asked for the penalty points to be suspended until the CAS reaches itꦛs final judgement.

Such a "stay of execution" is thus arguably more important than the final CAS verdict: If the penalty is suspended Rossi can start from his n🌠ormal grid spot and, if the CAS later confirms the FIMꦜ punishment, he would serve the last place start some time next season instead.

Likewise, if the "stay" is rejꦡected then Rossi will start last on the grid and it will be largely irrelevant whether the CAS confirms or removes the three penalty poiﷺnts at a later date, since the championship will have been decided.

The CAS expects to announce if Rossi♉'s request for a penalty suspension has been accepted "no later than" Friday.

The 36-year-old said he is only focusing on𝐆 his work on track, but explained he launched the appeal to CAℱS because he feels he should be able to fight for the title on an equal standing with Lorenzo.

The Sepang punishment only meant a back of the grid start a💟t Valencia because Rossi already had one penalty point from Misano.

"I'm still waiting to hear the decision of the CAS, but I hope I can do a normal GP to battle and fight for the titleꦍ on equal terms with Jorge," Rossi said. "In Valenc🍸ia there will be so many fans and I'm glad for that. I'll try to do my best on the track.

"It will be a very intense weekend and 🦹also a very important one. I want to think just about what will happen at the track."

With the post-Sepang fallout still overhanging the MotoGP season finale, Rossi says he wants to produce his own response to the💛 controversy on-track by sealing a tenth world title and eighthꦺ MotoGP crown.

"My goal is to work at my best capabilities with my team and make the most of every 💮session to get to the ✅race on Sunday with everything I need to express myself in the best way possible," he added.

Rossi haဣsn't won the MotoGP title since 2009 but has led this year's standings - barring a brief points tie with Lorenzo after Brno - since a victory in round one.

The oldest rider on the grid, many believe it is now oꦆ꧙r never for Rossi's tenth world title...