Carl Fogarty believes that Valentino Rossi will still start as favourite for the MotoGP title next year, despite his expected switch to Yamaha.

The Italian, announced yesterday that he will not be with Honda, where he has won one 500cc and two MotoGP titles in the last three years, for next season.

And it is widely expected that he is preparing to take on the challenge of a new tilt at the title with Yamaha, whose last success was in 1992.

Carl said: “It’s a real surprise. You don’t often see that happening. I made the mistake of leaving Ducati and it took me two years to get back to where I was. There can only ever be two reasons: motivation for a new challenge or money. Obviously there is a lot of money involved, but he would have got that anyway if he had stayed at Honda. So it must be motivation that has made him move and I think he is going to find it difficult, although he will still start as favourite – just. And if Honda put a faster bike out there next year then he really will have his work cut out.

“I am pleased that Colin Edwards is going to Honda and I looking for him to do something special next year. I have always rated him and it would be nice to see a former Superbike rider up there on the rostrum. If that happens, I’ll have a wry smile on my face as to what might have been a few years ago if I had moved to GPs.

“MotoGPs will be like a World Superbike paddock next year, with Hodgson going and now Shakey Byrne riding for Aprilia. I spoke to Shakey as a mate and he asked me for advice and I told him to grab the chance with both hands, as I think their bike will only get better. So, if he has a bad year, you’ll find me hiding under a bush somewhere!”