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Listening to coverage in the bivouac there is a lot of support to move to 450cc bikes. They now have the speed - David Fretigne in on a 450, and we can see his performance as a marker. They have less acceleration, and a slightly lower top speed - and as a result that's why he was leading yesterday up to CP2, then fell back down to 2nd at the end.
However, one major advantage is their weight - as they are lighter they are less strenous to ride, and easier to pick up after a fall. This helps fight fatigue on the stages.
The problem is how to impliment a change. It would be grossly unfair for the FIA or the ASO to impose a rule like this for next year, as amateur riders would be unable to use an existing bike. Maybe it'll take the influence of a major manufacturer - if KTM do decide to compete next year, and develop a 450 machine for the race and their works teams, it would only be a matter of time before 450s become the dominant machine in the rally.
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