Number sequence - moto GP etc

Race bike numbers
I appreciate Hayden is taking #1 but holds 69 in reserve as his
and Rossi opted to keep #46 but carried #1 on his shoulder
But does the number go down the order of merit/rating/championship placings?
Would Edwards have to give up #5 ?
Whats the protocol on bike numbers?

AIUI:-

The ranking of the previous season allows that rider to choose any number
as long as it hasn't been taken already or retired, and the number isn't
higher than their previous season's finishing place.

So Hayden will take 1
Rossi could take 2, but will obviously take 46
Pedrosa can take anything from 3 down
etc

Potentially Hayden could have 46 if he wanted, but there would probably be
some quick ruling against it.

For those riders that didn't enter the previous season, they are given
precendence according to when their entry is confirmed.

I don't know when it changed but it used to be like F1. Last years winner
was number 1, second place number 2 etc, etc. Schwantz was made to drop his
beloved number 34 after winning the world championship I do believe.

So? Rossi continued to use 46 despite being world champ, as stated.

Wibble flip, but I'd be surprised if anyone was allowed to choose a
personal number which was less than or equal to the number of riders in
the field, thereby avoiding the problem completely.