Rossi plays down Austin MotoGP chances, despite Qatar win

Marquez is undefeated in MotoGP's Grand Prix of the Americas so far - taking his maiden victory in the inaugural event in 2013 and dominating last year as well.

Although Rossi believes Yamaha will be in better shape at Austin this season, he doubts he has a chance of repeating his Losail win.

"Here will be a lot different. For me and for Yamaha, maybe this is not the best track," he said.

"I think it's one of the most difficult. I've never been on the podium in the first two editions.

"On this track Marc was always very, very strong, from the first test in 2013.

"It looks like this track is good for the Honda but especially it's good for him.

"But last year without the problem on the tyre I think I could have arrived on the podium.

"So trying to finish in the first three could be a good target for this weekend."

Rossi hopes that improvements to the Yamaha for 2015, including its new seamless-shift gearbox, will at least get it closer to Honda at Austin.

"This year the bike's changed in a lot of things and we also have the different gearbox, which at a track like this can help and can reduce the gap," he said.

LORENZO KEEPS 'WINNING MENTALITY'

His Yamaha team-mate Jorge Lorenzo was more hopeful - pointing out that the squad had conquered other tracks where previously Honda or Ducati had been out of reach.

"I think we have to go with a winning mentality," he said.

"In the past Motegi was always very difficult to go fast at and win, but finally we got it, and we have to do the same.

"I believe the Yamaha is now more competitive than it was a year ago.

"In 2013 I finished just two seconds behind the winner and my goal is to do a similar race or even better."

Marquez is joined at Honda by test rider Hiroshi Aoyama this weekend while Dani Pedrosa is sidelined following surgery to try to cure persistent arm pump problems.

This weekend is expected to provide the first wet MotoGP race at Austin, with thunderstorms in the forecast for Sunday in particular.

** Follow the Austin MotoGP event as it happens from 5pm UK time on AUTOSPORT Live on Sunday April 12, with coverage of the Moto3 and Moto2 races building up to the main event at 8pm