Movistar Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi again admitted to not being strong enough in MotoGP qualifying at Barcelona today but said he is optimistic because the riders with real pace are only a couple of slots ahead of him on the grid.

Rossi put in a good run during free practice four and did the fourth fastest lap at the time the race will be run tomorrow but he will have to get through the two Suzukis which he thinks will be fast for the first half of the race.

“After fourth practice, I was in fourth position. I feel confident with the bike, I was able to do good times after 20 laps so is not so bad. After for the qualifying, I am not satisfied 100 per cent because I have the potential to make the top five but I wasn’t strong enough to make the perfect lap,” said Rossi, speaking at the track.

“Seventh is not fantastic but not too bad because I think the guys with the right pace start third and fourth so I am not so far. It will be very important to make another step in the morning. I think that Jorge have the best pace and the Hondas are not so bad but I can’t be competitive for the race.

“I am optimistic for the Suzuki as they make an incredible laptime with the soft but their pace with the medium is good. I think they can stay in the top group for the first half, after that nobody know.”

Rossi says he is split on whether the soft-tyre concession should be removed for Ducati and Suzuki as it makes the championship more interesting for the fans and sponsors.

“From one side, it is very good for the championship because the Ducati can fight for pole and everybody is happy. Also Suzuki is great because they have the chance to get on the pole. It is not very good for us with the Yamaha and Honda because it makes the qualifying very difficult.”