Valentino Rossi has stated the importance of getting into the top ten with rain forecast for tomorrows MotoGP free practice three session in Misano.

Down in fifteenth after the morning session and the prospect of rain in the afternoon left the factory Yamaha rider with a nervy lunchtime. Fortunately for Rossi the rain stayed away and the Doctor managed to get into the top ten, ending the session in eighth position.

“It was very important to get in the top ten and we could do it this afternoon because we don’t know what the weather will be like tomorrow,” said the nine-times World Champion.

“It was a difficult day, when we came here for the test the grip level of the track was higher. Also with the tyres, we thought the hard would be better, but it seems that the medium or the soft one is better.

“On the one hand, I am happy because I have a good feeling with the bike, in the sense that I am better, but I'm eighth and there's a lot of work to do. We have to work on the balance of the bike. I suffer in braking, it's a bit difficult to stop. We have to work a lot on the electronics for find the right way to give the power.”

Despite getting into the top ten and securing a safe passage into Q2 should the rain arrive as early forecasts suggested in the morning, Rossi thinks the rain would significantly change track conditions.

"It depends on how much it rains, if it is a little bit, it doesn’t change much,” he said.

“But if it is a lot, the track is cleaned of the rubber, conditions will have to be seen and the times can be improved.”