Rossi in no hurry to leave MotoGP

World champion Valentino Rossi says he could stay in MotoGP for years to come despite moves to slow the sport down.

Motorcycling's governing body announced last month a reduction of the maximum capacity in the top category from 990cc to 800cc from 2007. Two-stroke engines will also be banned.

Italian Rossi, who is well on his way to a fifth world championship in a row after six wins in the last eight grands prix, welcomes the move as another challenge.

"I am quite sure that I will stay with motorbikes when the 800s arrive because I want to stay for not just one year more," he told reporters before Sunday's British Grand Prix at Donington Park.

"Maybe it is also better because it's another experience, it's like starting from zero again so it's not so bad. I also think it's a clever modification of the rules because if not, maybe the bikes will start to go too fast," the 26-year-old added.

Top speeds in MotoGP reach around 340kph, the bikes accelerating as fast as F1 cars but with no bodyshell to protect the racers.

Rossi, who won the last 500cc title in 2001 before the category was expanded to include bigger four-stroke bikes and renamed MotoGP, does not know whether he will still be with Yamaha in 2007. "I don't know now for sure, but I think there is a big possibility because I feel very good in the Yamaha team," he added.

Rossi has been on the podium in every race this season and has a 79-point lead over nearest rival and compatriot Marco Melandri with nine grands prix remaining.

The champion won the title from 2001 to 2003 with Honda before an acrimonious split and a move to rivals Yamaha, with whom he won the title last year. He does not rule out a return to Honda, however.

Four wheels

"Why not?," he said. "For sure for next year is okay with Yamaha. But maybe for the future I don't know what happens." Rossi, the highest earning sportsman in Italy according to Forbes magazine, has also been linked to F1 and Ferrari.

Briton John Surtees made the switch, becoming in 1964 the only man to win world titles on two wheels and four, but Rossi distanced himself from that.

"I have a great passion for four wheels, especially rallying, and I started with go-karts when I was a child," he said.

"But I think it's very difficult. It's completely another world, a lot of work, a lot of pressure. Maybe a long holiday is better."