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Rossi tyres of racing situation
Valentino Rossi has claimed that new tyre regulations are impeding his MotoGP title challenge, although he refused to give up hope of reining in current leader Casey Stoner.
As of this season, riders have a choice of 14 front and 17 rear tyres that they can use throughout both qualification and the race itself - a rule that Rossi claims has turned MotoGP into a battle between tyre manufacturers, rather than the riders themselves.
He admitted that his bike is also at a disadvantage against Stoner's more rapid Ducati and that he hoped that Yamaha would improve its performance ahead of the Czech GP, but nonetheless, it is the tyre situation that his gripe is really with.
Rossi explained: "For sure Michelin give an advantage in the last years. Until the half season of last year, where Bridgestone make a big step - and I have to say a big thank you to Michelin.
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"Now the situation is opposite. The problem is for the show and for the people and for the riders and for the manufacturers that put a lot of money. At the end is the tyre decides."
The Italian also believes that trying to erode Stoner's 44-point lead will be different to his pursuit of Nicky Hayden last year, due to the advantages his young rival holds, although he insisted that with seven races left, there is still a "long way" to go.
At this stage last year, Rossi also seemed out of the title race, but five podiums in five races saw him rise to first until a disastrous Portuguese GP handed the championship to Hayden; he will need a similar run of form to oust Stoner this time around.
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