No Welkom mat for Italian duo

THE heated rivalry that has developed between Valentino Rossi and Max Biaggi has been turned down to a simmer for the African Grand Prix at Welkom this weekend.

FIM president Francesco Zerbi sent an open letter to both riders asking them to avoid a repeat of the incident at Suzuka, where the two riders clashed at over 200km/h coming down the start/finish straight, with Biaggi throwing out his elbow and forcing Rossi off the track.

The riders have never expressed particular friendship towards each other and strong words were spoken after the race.

Mr Zerbi warned that sanctions would be taken against them if there were any more anti-sporting or censurable behaviour.

It may be up to Australia?s Garry McCoy to separate the two Italians as he did with a second place in Suzuka, although breaking up fights will no doubt take a back seat to maintaining his early season form.

McCoy scored his maiden GP victory at Welkom, South Africa, last year after starting well back on the grid.

The sliding style he developed as a speedway racer suits the Phakisa Freeway circuit, so if he can repeat his Suzuka qualifying result and put the Red Bull Yamaha on the front row, he would have to start favourite for the race.

McCoy's Redbull Yamaha teammate Noriyuki Haga will be out to make amends for his disappointing performance at Suzuka, when he crashed during qualifying and the race.

Defending world champion Kenny Roberts will be leading the charge for Suzuki, as the only non-Honda or Yamaha rider to finish in the top 10 at the last start.

He hopes to improve on his sixth place at Welkom last year as well as find a fix for the tyre problems that plagued his Moviestar Suzuki in Japan.

Last year's African GP runner-up, Carlos Checa of Spain, will not be lining up for this event due to injuries he sustained in a training crash on a Supermotard bike.

Japanese rider Shinya Nakano will be looking to back up the impressive debut he made on a 500cc bike at Suzuka. He won the 250cc race at Welkom last year.