Nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi put in his worst MotoGP qualifying performance since his dark Ducati days at Losail and will start from second-last tomorrow.

Last weekend, The Doctor was able to find the one-lap speed for fourth place in Qatar but today he was only trailed by Lorenzo Savadori - a rider who struggled in WorldSBK.

Rossi could only muster a 1’54.881 in qualifying one today whereas last weekend he was 1.7s faster on the same bike with the same tyres.

“Very difficult, very difficult today because I was never, never strong, and yeah, we try, we try to improve the feeling with the bike with the rear, but I suffer I suffer very much,” said Rossi, speaking at the track.

“I have a lack of grip in acceleration, and, and also after after some laps. I suffer a lot and my pace is not is not good. I never have the feeling to be fast enough.

“Last week I was I was good with the new tyres, but like this we try for sure to do to do something for improve the life, but unfortunately I am not fast enough, and will be difficult to have to start from behind. We need to try to understand tomorrow to try something else and we’ll see.

“Yeah I have I have a lot of problem with rear, for some reason, I stress I stress too much. And after I don’t push, because I have also a lot of vibration, I mean, looks like the tyre become become too hot.”