Nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi has tipped Moto2 star Andrea Iannone for success with Ducati in MotoGP next year as he has no preconceptions of riding the 250bhp bikes.

Rossi said that because his fellow Italian had not been on a Japanese MotoGP bike, or any other, his mind would be more open to what it could do than team-mate Andrea Dovizioso, who has raced for both Honda and Yamaha.

"First it is interesting to compare Dovi and Iannone to Hayden and it will be interesing to understand between Dovi and Iannone because Dovi have more experience on the MotoGP but on the other side, Iannone have no experience but never ride Honda and Yamaha," said Rossi

"Maybe this can be a small advantage, I am not sure, but it can be different because for sure the Japanese bike are different to ride and Iannone, coming from Moto2, has never ridden them so his mind is more open."