Ducati say Honda still the benchmark

Honda are yet to win a race this year after their RC211V bike has not proved competitive enough to beat Ducati's GP7 or Valentino Rossi's Yamaha.

Ducati have scored three wins in five races thanks to Australian rider Casey Stoner, while Yamaha and Suzuki have also savoured victory this year.

Preziosi, however, reckons Honda remain the benchmark in the category, and claims his team have some way to go before being considered as favourites.

"I carry on thinking the current world championship standings are a combination of a string of lucky results," he told Gazzetta dello Sport. "The technical benchmark keeps being Honda, and the driver Rossi. We deserve being in the lead, but we look ahead.

"Barcelona will be the acid test: last year, accident apart, we were having great difficulties with the tyres. If we pass that exam then we'll really be able to fight all the way."

Stoner leads Rossi by 21 points ahead of this weekend's race in Italy.