[theophil]

Honda 'disappointed' as Rossi escapes punishment.

Nicky Hayden's Repsol Honda team manager has expressed his 'disappointment' at the decision not to punish Valentino Rossi for allegedly overtaking under yellow flags during Sunday's Australian Grand Prix.

Rossi is currently locked in an increasingly tense title fight with Hayden, who leads the 2006 MotoGP World Championship by a reduced 21 points over reigning five-times title holder Rossi after the Italian gained a further five points on the American at Phillip Island.

Rossi and Hayden had both battled their way back from poor starts and were fifth and sixth respectively when the moment of controversy occurred, on lap 18 of 26, as Rossi reportedly passed Casey Stoner under waved yellow flags following an incident involving Carlos Checa.

Rossi retained his position ahead of Stoner into the next corner, gaining valuable time on Hayden as a result, but Race Direction later ruled that no further action should be taken as it was deemed Stoner had momentarily re-passed Rossi.

"I am very disappointed that Race Control reached the decision they did regarding Valentino Rossi's overtake under the yellow flag," said Repsol Honda team manager Tanaka.

It took Hayden two more laps to also pass Stoner, after which he closed to within 0.3secs of fourth placed Rossi - but the Italian grabbed a further last gasp advantage by overtaking a fading Sete Gibernau for third place out of the very final corner