Kawasaki target Rossi for 2009

Rossi's Yamaha contract expires at the end of this season, and Kawasaki team boss Michael Bartholemy has declared his interest in enticing the five-time MotoGP champion to Kawasaki.

"We are interested in Valentino, even though I've never spoken either to him or his manager," Bartholemy told Gazzetta dello Sport.

"But I'd like to and soon, because this would be the perfect time. Our first two races didn't go well. So Shanghai could be the right place."

Kawasaki have made a low-key start to 2008, with John Hopkins's seventh place at Jerez their best result in the opening two races.

But Bartholemy believes their form has been hidden as Hopkins recovered from a pre-season injury.

"We are improving," he insisted. "We haven't demonstrated that in the first two races as a consequence of Hopkins's injury in Phillip Island testing. But we are convinced we have a good bike and that future developments will make it even better.

"To hire Rossi would put more pressure on us, because you can't have a rider like Valentino and end up 15th. The Rossi-Hopkins pairing would be perfect."

Rossi was open-minded about the possibility of Kawasaki talks.

"It's true, I've never spoken with Kawasaki," he told Gazzetta. "It will depend on what they offer me."

Bartholemy expects Kawasaki to enjoy significantly larger resources next season.

"I'd like to field a third official bike," he said. "Our budget should rise by at least five million euros. If the objectives get bigger, then it becomes easier to convince the management to invest."

Should Rossi decline Kawasaki's offer, Bartholemy said impressive rookie Andrea Dovizioso - currently riding for JiR Scot Honda - and 250cc rider Alvaro Bautista were on the team's shortlist.

"I'm thinking of three other riders, including two very young ones, one of which is already in MotoGP," he said.

"(Dovizioso) is a fine rider and he's very intelligent. I like him.

"I had already suggested (Bautista) in 2006 after Motegi, when (Shinya) Nakano announced he was leaving. Back then the top management didn't believe in him. They regret that."