Rossi hopes control tyre is adopted

Dorna CEO Carmelo Ezpeleta revealed earlier today that the move to control tyres had been tabled at the Grand Prix Commission meeting at Motegi, and that a decision would be taken by next month's Malaysian Grand Prix.

Rossi has been outspoken in his frustration at the tyre situation in recent months, having struggled to compete with the Bridgestone-shod bikes for several races in the middle of the season.

"For me, it's good," Rossi told the official MotoGP website.

"Because I think, especially this year, the tyres have too much importance.

"Sometimes Michelin was better, a lot of times Bridgestone was better, but it was like two different championships.

"For me, it's better to start everybody from the same place."

There was widespread debate about the effect that tyre inequalities were having on the quality of the show in MotoGP after a string of uneventful races during the summer.

But these concerns were largely alleviated by last week's close-fought Portuguese Grand Prix, in which progress by Michelin allowed Rossi and Dani Pedrosa to battle with Stoner and eventually finish first and second. Michelin has also taken all three front row positions at Motegi today.

Michelin Sport boss Frederic-Henri Biabaud has openly suggested that the control tyre proposal is being pushed by influential riders rather than a tyre manufacturer or team.

He admitted that some riders were not in favour of open tyre competition, and that it might be impossible to persuade them otherwise.

"Obviously they seem to be difficult to convince, it is strange," Biabaud said.