Vermeulen: radios should stay banned

Despite evaluations having been conducted in recent years about the use of radios in MotoGP, with Team Roberts the last to look at the systems in 2004, organisers have so far been reluctant to give the go-ahead to their use.

And even though radios would have helped tip off riders about the changing track conditions in Sunday's race, Vermeulen thinks the sport actually benefits from not having them.

When asked after his win if it would be a good idea to reverse the rules, Vermeulen said, "No. You could argue that it's a way to go but I don't think it's right.

"This is something that is very much down to the rider. The team might be talking in your ear and that could be distracting, so I'd prefer not to have it."

The Australian, who claimed his first MotoGP victory on Sunday, also thinks that the non-stop rules introduced in 2005 were fully justified by the spectacle produced on Sunday.

"I think it's a good rule. This is MotoGP - the F1 of motorcycling. It puts a bit of pressure on the teams too, as to what decision to make."

There have now been three 'white flag' races in MotoGP - Portugal 2005, Australia 2006 and Le Mans 2007. Bikes have only been swapped in the latter two events, however.