Stoner hits out at Spanish GP marshals

The governing body of MotoGP is to investigate the actions of marshalls at Sunday's Spanish Grand Prix at Jerez, after fierce criticism from Australian star rider Casey Stoner, who claimed that he could have continued in the raceafter being knocked off his bike by Italian Valentino Rossi had he been given more assistance.

The pair came together during the early laps of the race, which was marked by a number of falls due to a wet track. The Italian, riding for Ducati, was trying to take second place, but lost traction and slid into Stoner's Honda, sending them both sliding to the kerb.

The marshals appeared to swarm around Rossi, helping him restart his bike and get back on the track, while Stoner was left to deal with his problems practically alone.

"Popularity"

Stoner went on to say that the issue needed to be addressed within the sport. "I just think it's completely unfair. There's not enough consistency in the marshalling all around the world. There's got to be consistency with everyone, not hampering someone's race just because of popularity."

"There was no damage to my bike," Stoner told the press after the race. "When I looked back I had like one guy pushing me, all the rest were walking back to their posts. What am I supposed to do with that? For sure that guy was trying hard, but with one guy it's impossible."

Stoner was forced to retire, while Rossi eventually finished fifth. World champion Jorge Lorenzo managed to keep his cool among the rain-soaked chaos to eventually take a win in his home GP.

The governing body, the FIM, said on Tuesday that it would review the incident, but made clear that there was no chance that the results of the race would be altered.