Stoner not worried by Rossi's tyre move

The Australian Ducati rider dominated the 2007 season, scoring 10 wins in only his second season in MotoGP.

Yamaha rival Rossi had to settle for a distant third place in the championship, and the Italian decided to switch from Michelin to Bridgestone tyres for 2008 after complaining about the performance of the French rubber during the year.

Stoner, however, says he is unconcerned about racing Rossi on the same rubber.

"It's the same thing with Valentino and the Bridgestones. Everyone is always asking me if we're worried about it. We're just worried about our own situation," Stoner told reporters on Tuesday at the presentation of the new Ducati bike at Italy's Madonna di Campiglio ski resort.

"We're racing the clock, we're out there trying to get the best set-up we can on the bike. We're not in the same garage as everybody else. I really enjoy the fact that Marco is here now, we can work together to try and solve similar problems, because by the sounds of it we both want the same thing.

"We're just going to have to see, but it's like what we did last year, we didn't worry about what everyone else was doing, we just concentrated on our own settings, on our own selection with tyres and everything, and it worked for us, so I think we're just going to continue that this year, and hopefully the same thing will work out.

"I'm not afraid of the fact that Valentino is on Bridgestones, we saw at the first test, there was nothing in particular very special, but we will have to see as the season goes on.

"I'm very happy with the way Bridgestone have worked, they've given me a great opportunity, and I think they will continue to work in the same system this year."

The 22-year-old, who will be partenred by Marco Melandri this year, admits he feels more relaxed ahead of the upcoming season.

"I love this team. I dream of staying here. Now I am calmer than a year ago," he added. "It is like I've had a weight lifted off my shoulders. The pressure was very heavy. Now I know I can go even better and that we can repeat it.

"But if Marco Melandri races faster than me and he wins, I'll be happy for him. He's got talent and he will prove it to us."