Dovizioso wants to test Honda upgrades

Pedrosa is set to test the revised bike at Catalunya on Monday, when one of the few remaining post-race test sessions is held.

But Pedrosa's season has been repeatedly disrupted by injuries and he has struggled all weekend in Spain due to hip damage sustained at Mugello. He also crashed again in today's qualifying session and had to be taken away by stretcher.

Dovizioso admitted that on paper Pedrosa is the team's leading rider, but thinks Honda should take their relative physical states into account.

"They've decided to give it to Pedrosa, because in fact he did better in normal conditions, in dry races," Dovizioso told Italia1. "But the truth is he hasn't come here in optimal condition, so they were wrong to give it to him because of that."

He thinks he can still improve his set-up in the test, but hopes he will also be able to get involved in the development programme.

"You can always improve," said Dovizioso. "I've tried many set-ups, and in my opinion there's not much more to do. But even if I can improve, if there is new material then it would be good to try it. I hope to have a chance to on Monday."

The Italian has qualified fourth for tomorrow's race, equalling his career best, and is aiming for a podium.

"We haven't solved so many problems, but we're quicker here," Dovizioso said. "Few riders have the 1m43s pace, so in my opinion we can do a good race tomorrow.

"[Jorge] Lorenzo and Valentino [Rossi] have a small advantage and the same pace, so it will be difficult to stay with them. But it's important to start from the front. I haven't understood what's up with [Casey] Stoner. He's quick but he isn't running much, so it looks like he has some problems."