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Valentino Rossi believes Ducati will make Austrian MotoGP difficult

Valentino Rossi believes Yamaha faces a "difficult" Austrian Grand Prix next month, based on Ducati's pace in MotoGP's pre-event test

Ducati riders filled the top four places both days in the private Red Bull Ring test, led by Andrea Dovizioso on Tuesday and Andrea Iannone on Wednesday, joined by test rider Casey Stoner and satellite pilots at the top of the order.

On the first day, its closest challenger was Suzuki's Maverick Vinales, 0.831 seconds adrift, and Rossi was best of the rest on Wednesday, 0.929s off.

The Italian was pleased with Yamaha's progress but noted: "With the Ducati it will be very difficult, because it's a very fast track, it's not the best track for us and the M1.

"It was two good days, especially [Wednesday] we improved the performance and the balance of the bike a lot.

"But also the track was better, with more rubber where we needed it.

"We were able to improve the laptimes and our position and we're a little bit closer to the top guys.

"We made a step and now we'll see what happens when we come back in August.

"It will be a very difficult race, especially with some of our factory rivals, they are faster than us.

"It will be very important to also understand the potential of the other competitors, because some are not here."

Championship leader Marc Marquez and Honda team-mate Dani Pedrosa missed the test, along with the Tech3 Yamaha satellite outfit.

Jorge Lorenzo was 0.025s slower than Rossi on Wednesday - just ahead of Vinales and his Suzuki team-mate Aleix Espargaro - having been 1.411s off the pace set by Ducati on the first day.

"The test has been hard, because some of our rivals are fast," he said.

"It looks like the track is giving them a big advantage, especially in braking stability, acceleration and top speed.

"They can put in all the power they have at this track and the difference is huge.

"Compared to other competitors we are not so far behind, but there are a lot of rivals, who are all very fast.

"We will reduce their advantage, but not close the whole margin.

"With the bike we have - the balance and the electronics - we have to find the best setting for all the aspects and go as fast as possible."

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