Factory Yamaha's Valentino Rossi will look for a couple of tenths more pace ahead of tomorrow's Assen MotoGP encounter and has some small setup modifications to try in morning warm-up at the Dutch track.

The Doctor put in his best qualifying session of the season so far this afternoon but said a small error put him back to the second row. He feels he has the pace to challenge for a podium tomorrow.

"I can brake deep so I am happy about the setting. We make some more experience with the new package and for tomorrow we have to try some small modify but my feeling is positive because I understand from the bike I can do better and except Crutchlow, who did a very good lap, I am very close to the other guys. Also I have a good rhythm and ride the bike in a good way," said Rossi, speaking at Assen.

"I have to try and make the best. So far, is a good weekend. In all the practice we are strong and I hope for a dry race or 100 per cent wet not half and half conditions. This afternoon I am happy, my speed was enough for second in the first half an hour and a good pace after some laps. It is the best qualifying of the season for me, not only for the position but also the feeling.

"It was more my mistake I was not in the front row but it is positive. In the other qualifying, when I try to go faster, I just create more problems but today I have the feeling I can go two or three tenths better, the laptime of Crutchlow, but staying in second was possible. We have got a good pace. Tomorrow morning, we will try a modify for two or three points."