Rossi considers protest over Tibet

11/04/2008 10:29

Mark Meadows

Milan - MotoGP riders are considering a protest at the Chinese Grand Prix in May over the security crackdown in Tibet.

Former world champion Valentino Rossi of Italy said the riders would meet to decide if they should protest at the next Grand Prix in Shanghai on May 4.

"All the world is with Tibet," the Yamaha rider said.

"But we need to be careful, or else they will arrest all of us."

China's treatment of political protesters in Tibet has caused alarm across the world with the Olympic torch relay being hit by demonstrations in London, Paris and San Francisco.

Some politicians have also talked of boycotting the opening ceremony of August's Beijing Olympics.

Suzuki's Loris Capirossi said the riders were considering some form of demonstration.

"I am 100% behind Tibet. We know that to demonstrate against the Chinese regime is dangerous but we will see if we can do something," Capirossi told reporters ahead of Sunday's Portuguese Grand Prix at Estoril.