MotoGP front-runners Valentino Rossi and Marc Marquez have got no issue with the sort of passes that were going on at the Phillip Island round so long as it is within the rules and no-one makes a ‘big mistake’ that could mean serious injury.

Both men were involved in Australia which saw big moves come in from all angles courtesy of the top six riders and neither the Italian nor the world champion elect say they have any reason to complain with Rossi saying it is fun.

“We saw also during the year a lot of great fights and yes, for sure the level of aggressiveness is high, but is all in the rules and I think sometimes you can touch. The important thing is to not make big mistakes and for sure it was a great race to do and also to follow on to Malaysia,” said Rossi, speaking at Sepang.

Marquez added: “I like races like Australia but here I prefer a quiet race. You never know, in the end if you need to fight, I will fight and I will think only about the race, but always will have some margins.

“About the contact rules, for me it’s OK. What we saw in Australia was always inside the limit more or less and in the end MotoGP riders have experience, some more, some less, but it was great.”