Rossi calls for end to night racing

A massive downpour hit the Losail track just before the scheduled start and the night conditions meant that visibility would have been minimal as the light from the floodlights around the track reflected off the surface water and spray.

Rain had earlier caused the abandonment of the 125cc race after four laps. The riders in the junior category reported that even in light rain it had been impossible to see anything.

Rossi said tonight's situation should be a lesson to other race organisers considering running events at night.

"First of all, since they want to race at night at Sepang too, this maybe will make them throw away that unhealthy idea," the world champion told Italia1 television.

"In my opinion we must race during the day. If we raced at two in the afternoon it would have been better."

Although rain is statistically extremely rare in Doha, both last month's test and this weekend's races have been hit by poor weather.

"Rain here is very strange," said Rossi. "However, when you want to race at night there is this risk.

"It's a shame because after six months with no racing, and after all the winter's work, the testing, trying to sort out everything, we are really left in a strange situation."

Discussions are continuing over whether the race can be held on Monday instead, with an early evening timeslot under consideration. Rossi hopes that a solution can be found.

"If this race is cancelled and with Hungary cancelled there will be only 16 races left," he said. "We want to race, but what can you do?"