Nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi intends to ride for the first two laps of tomorrow's Motorland Aragon MotoGP round as he did in qualifying today in an attempt to stay with his fast-starting team-mate Jorge Lorenzo.

The Spaniard decimated the field last time out, pulling a 1.5s on lap one while the rest where sorting themselves out and Rossi wants to capitalise on his second-row start and go with the reigning champion.

"We work very much about the first lap and try to improve setting of the bike and every time I try today I was quite strong from the beginning but we know Jorge is a bit stronger. Usually he start very good so I think he will try another time, so we have to give the maximum, ride like in qualifying for the first two laps and try to stay with him," said Rossi, speaking at Aragon.

"From yesterday we modify the bike and try to improve the problems that I had. We modify the balance and we did a good job already from this morning. Also, the practice was half and half but at the end I was able to do a good laptime and I have a good sensation.

"The afternoon was good for me, already in the first half an hour. I was in the sixth position but 0.4 from the pole position and I have a very good rhythm and pace so I was already happy. I know that in the qualifying I could be competitive and I did a good step.

The laptime is high and I know if you want to stay with the top guys you have to improve a lot and with this setting I can do. I lose the front row but it is not a problem as we are just four guys in the 1'47s. It was a pity to lose the front row for 0.005 but we are close together.

"It is important to improve the grip on the edge as for sure the guys tomorrow will do another step so we have to be ready for improve. I am better in braking and we already improve the rear tyre life so all this is very good."