Agostini laments tyre war

The Italian, winner of 15 motorcycling world championships in the sixties and seventies, attended yesterday's United States Grand Prix at Laguna Seca, a race dominated by Bridgestone-shod bikes.

Marlboro Ducati's Casey Stoner dominated the race, with Valentino Rossi (Fiat Yamaha) thirty seconds behind in fourth and Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda) in fifth being the only two Michelin runners finishing in the top ten.

The regulations have changed this year, with riders being now limited to 14 front tyres and 17 rears per weekend.

"It doesn't matter," Agostini replied to Italia1 channel when asked whether 31 tyres are too much of a restriction. "You can have even 35 tyres, but if you don't have the right one to win there's no point having many.

"It's sad seeing how much weight the tyres have on the result: they can make you win or they can make you lose.

"We see big manufacturers like Honda, Ducati and Suzuki, who after working and spending millions in development, witness the arrival of the right tyre that makes someone who could normally fight with the others win.

"It's a shame, because it takes away from the ability and the effort of a big manufacturer.

"Rossi did everything he could, but when he got back to the pits I saw his tyre wasn't at its best and there was nothing he could do, unfortunately."

Agostini, however, feels that Bridgestone's dominance does not lessen Stoner's victory.

"Stoner today impressed everyone. The difference between his lap times was never more than a tenth. He really rode like a great champion."