Factory Yamaha rider Valentino Rossi has predicted that both Marc Marquez and Andrea Iannone have race-winning pace ahead of tomorrow’s MotoGP race at Phillip Island while he and Maverick Vinales will fight for third.

The Italian qualified in seventh place in a subdued session, however, ‘the Doctor’ has admitted that both pole sitter Marquez and Iannone have much better race pace than him and the rest of the field.

“I followed Iannone and he’s faster than me,” admitted the 39-year-old.

“He rode with a better feeling and he is very strong. Marquez always used the tyre but he is fast. We’ll see. Last year it was the best race of the season because it was a wild battle from the beginning until the end. This year I hope to be in the group.”

The cold track temperatures coupled with the demanding nature of the Australian circuit means Phillip Island is notoriously difficult on tyres and predicting what tyres will be needed.

When asked about tyres, Rossi said: “It depends on the work from now until tomorrow morning and also on the weather.

“It’s open between soft and hard and we hope for the sun and a good day. For sure it is great here if you have the sun and you can see a very good race usually.

“It looks like Iannone and Marquez have something more than the others. Then it is Maverick and then me a lot of others.”