Rossi calls for crowd control measures

The world championship leader, known for his post-race antics whenever he wins a grand prix, said he believed the practice of crowds spilling onto tracks was presenting a danger both to riders and to spectators, and made particular reference to the invasion that occured at Donington last weekend.

"In Mugello it was more dangerous because the people crossing [the straight] but in Donington they were half-and-half so it was less dangerous," he said. "But they hit you on the head and in the arms and because you go quite fast... it hurts.

"We have to try something in Mugello and Donington because people have to wait to the last [cooling down] lap."

"Melandri arrived late and people were already on the track."

Other riders have mentioned that it affected their race at Donington, but without a change in the eventual race result.

"This is a big problem because we are always very lucky that nothing happens. Very lucky, because if something happens, there will be a problem.

"In Mugello they tried three rows of wire, but in Donington I think it is quite easy [for the fans to get on the track]. For sure we will speak about Donington tomorrow in the safety commission.

"It is normal when you have a lot of people and they want to come under the podium as it is a good atmosphere."

Some years ago the crowd were denied a cooling down lap at Donington because of similar issues. Riders instead peeled off the track just as they crossed the line, turning left at Redgate and then into Parc Ferme through the paddock.

The organisers then re-instated the cooling lap to entertain the crowd, but it seems riders may opt to take the short route, unless something is done to contain the public until all the bikes have finished the race.

In Philip Island there is a controlled crowd invasion, but only as the last rider crosses the line.

At Jerez in 1996 the crowd ultimately did affect the race result when a track invasion caused Alex Criville to hesitate on last lap, allowing Mick Doohan through. Criville then crashed at the final corner in a bid to re-take the lead.