LONDON -- World champion Valentino Rossi renewed his call for a grand prix riders' union on Tuesday and made it clear it was not a solo campaign.

The 23-year-old Italian said it was unacceptable that the FIM, the governing body of grand prix motorcycling, had decided to change the rules about bad weather starts last week without consulting the riders.

"We need it because we are not organized," Rossi told reporters at a news conference ahead of this weekend's British Grand Prix. "(For example) last week, they decided to change the rules without saying anything to the riders.

"I think it's easy for someone to come to riders and (ask them)," Rossi added. "Some of them will say yes, some say maybe.

"But I think it's incredible that I heard the news from journalists. The riders are (treated as if they are) not important, but that's not true because we ride the bikes."

The Honda rider, who has won six of the seven grands prix this year, said, although his support was important, it should be seen as a collective campaign by all 29 MotoGP riders.

"I already spoke with (Loris) Capirossi and (Kenny) Roberts and we are agreed, I think," he said.

"I think it's very important that it doesn't become just about me because some riders won't like that."

The teams in grand prix motorcyling are represented by the International Road Racing Teams Association.