Elias: I'm stronger after poor season

The Spaniard is returning to Gresini Honda next year following a single campaign for Ducati's factory squad. He struggled to adapt to the Ducati at first, and although he then made a breakthrough with podium finishes at Brno and Misano, Elias has since slipped back into the midfield again.

"This year has been really difficult for us," he admitted. "Finally we did two podiums, that was very good for me, but after that we continued with the big difficulties. I found big problems after that.

"But anyway I'm happy - I think this year I've learnt many, many good important things for me and for the future."

Elias will test with Gresini at Valencia next week, and is eager to rejoin the team. He believes he will now fare better than during his previous two-year sojourn - which saw him take his sole win to date in a spectacular race at Estoril in 2006, but was also blighted by injuries and accidents.

"I'm really happy, I think it's a good opportunity for me," he said. "We will work hard to try to make everything perfect, and we will see about the new rules for the tyres. On Monday I will have two new things - bike and tyres - but I am confident.

"I know the team very well, they know me very well also. I think I got good results in the past, but I didn't have so much luck in 2006 and 2007 with injuries.

"But next year I hope will be a completely different story. I'm confident and I think it's a good chance for me. I will try everything that is possible in my hands to make things perfect."

But he added that he also wants to try and end his season with the Alice team on a high note as well.

"This is my last race with Ducati and also this team," Elias said. "I want to finish in a good position. I will try to work really hard to do a good job this weekend. This is my home race, it's very important for me, and it's very important to finish the season with a good result."