Valentino Rossi has denied he is trying to influence Ducati to re-sign current factory team-mate Nicky Hayden over British rider Cal Crutchlow for next year’s MotoGP world championship.

The 33-year-old, who kicked off practice for his home race at Mugello with the ninth fastest time, denied he had said that his preference would be to partner Hayden in 2013, should he agree to remain with the Bologna factory next season.

Rossi hasn’t yet decided where his own future lies but Ducati has been negotiating with Crutchlow for a two-year contract.

Crutchlow was anticipating getting a written contract to mull over at Ducati’s home race in Mugello this weekend but that is not going to happen....More HERE