Page last updated at 12:57 GMT, Thursday, 19 February 2009

MotoGP limits practice & engines

World champion Valentino Rossi will be the man to catch in 2009 MotoGP teams will have shorter practice sessions and new restrictions on engines in the 2009 championship. The International Motorcycling Federation has scrapped Friday free practice and shortened all sessions, including qualifying, to 45 minutes. In addition, electronic and hydraulic launch control systems and electronic suspension systems have been banned. And riders will be allowed to use no more than five engines between the mid-season break and the end of the season. 606: DEBATE What effect do you think these rule changes will have? Do you think it is just to keep the wolf from the door financially, or do you expect to see any changes on the grid as a result? Julian S Friday free practice has also been scrapped in the 125cc and 250cc classes, while the engine restrictions apply only to MotoGP. The new rules are being introduced as a cost-cutting measure in MotoGP, which has already lost Kawasaki during the close season as a result of the international financial crisis.