Racing motorcycles is safe...

[azoomm]

Well, compared to living in Japan.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/motor-sp...-1226116434951


Seven-time MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi has maintained his objection to the Japanese Grand Prix in Motegi on October 2 over nuclear health concerns.

Concerns around nuclear exposure have circulated since the nuclear power plant at Fukushima was damaged in the Japanese earthquake and tsunami in March.

Australian Casey Stoner had said he would not attend the race but has apparently softened his decision, while reigning champion Jorge Lorenzo has been largely silent since initially indicating his reluctance to go.

Many consider Rossi to be the ringleader of rider protest surrounding the event, and the Italian has maintained his strong objection to the race going ahead.

"I really don't think I'll go to Japan," Rossi told the BBC.

"I was hoping the [MotoGP] championship organisers would make the right decision, but that hasn't been the case and now we've got a serious problem."

Rossi has reportedly suggested a return to Suzuka as a possible alternative to the Motegi circuit, which is just 100kms from the damaged nuclear reactor at Fukushima.

Suzuka is further south but would require significant safety upgrades to reach modern MotoGP standards.

While his world titles came with Japanese manufacturers Honda and Yamaha, Rossi now rides for Italian marque Ducati.