Rossi: No qualms about racing Lorenzo

Four years ago the Jerez race was the opening event of the championship and Rossi was keen to keep true his promise of never letting Gibernau win another race after the controversy of the 2004 Qatar MotoGP, where Gibernau's Movistar Honda crew complained about Rossi having had his grid spot 'cleaned' for extra grip.

Rossi was relegated to the back of the grid and vowed the Spaniard would never stand atop a podium.

However, with Rossi's team-mate Lorenzo now leading the championship after two races in 2009, the reigning world champion has said he would do the same if he needed.

"With Sete, that race was unforgettable from the first lap we start to fight, but especially the last lap and a half all happened," said Rossi at Jerez.

"I was able to overtake on the last time and I took a small advantage but I made a small mistake on the back straight. Sete came back on me and we nearly touch at the hairpin before two or three overtakes to the last hairpin so it was not just one braking It was a very hard fight.

"If with Lorenzo it happens the same, then..... Yes."

Asked what advice Gibernau had to Lorenzo should the same situation arise, Gibernau said, "I'd pray."

Expanding later upon his answer, Rossi said: "I want to say that time with Sete I don't enter in the corner for touch Sete. I entered to try and overtake and win the race, but unfortunately Sete doesn't crash and anyway he finished second."

"But anyway we are ready for a battle and we wait for the battle and if it's possible for a race with a rival at the same level like that time with Sete with three or four overtaking in the last lap. It was great.

In the last lap - it was great. I think It was our sport. If you look at the races of 10 years ago it happened 100 times in one race. I like to run like this . Sometimes you win sometimes you lose."