MotoGP: China axe saddens Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner

Valentino Rossi and Casey Stoner have said they are disappointed at the decision to scrap the Chinese MotoGP race after just four years.

Italian Valentino Rossi, whose victory in last weekend’s Shanghai showdown was his second at the Far East venue, said: “I like the track and I won there on Sunday, so for sure I hope that we come back next year.”

While the Shanghai circuit is a world leader in terms of facilities and infrastructure, the race receives dire crowd attendance, poor promotion and a lack of commercial interest.

Shanghai’s replacement will be at a new circuit in Hungary.

Casey Stoner, who was the 2007 Shanghai winner, is also disappointed that China will be bumped off the calendar and the Aussie said: “I’ve had victories at this circuit, so it’s got some good memories for me.

“We’ll see if it is on the calendar next year but if it’s not it’s disappointing to see it go.”