Gresini Honda's Marco Simoncelli has said he still has a bitter taste in his mouth over the crash at Jerez which saw the lanky Italian bail out of leading a MotoGP for the first time.

The big-haired rider reckons he now knows he is competitive and has a fast bike, and has been working hard with his team to make sure is can happen again.

“I still have a bitter taste in my mouth from Jerez. I was having a great race and the crash obviously wasn't what I wanted, it was a real shame. I know I will have the chance to make up for it though, because I know I am fast and have a good feeling with a competitive bike," said Simoncelli.

"I have made progress and so has the team. We are getting on better and better and I am sure we will soon be celebrating together because everything is in place. It has been a long break and I have had time to go with my friends and 'finish off the ski season' before getting into some serious training ahead of Estoril.

"I had my best result of last season in Portugal and just missed out on the podium so this time I want to be on it. I like the track a lot; I won there in 250cc in 2009 and was on the podium the previous season. I am confident we can have a good weekend.”