Gresini pair expect tough weekend

"It's a nice circuit but the slow corners followed by hard acceleration and a start-finish straight of over a kilometre in length do not play in our favour," said Melandri.

"Luckily we'll be going to a few more favourable tracks after Barcelona. In any case I feel motivated and I'm looking forward to putting the Mugello race behind me."

Elias, whose hometown of Manresa is within half an hour of the Catalunya circuit, is more optimistic after his confidence-boosting run from 16th on the grid to sixth at Mugello last weekend.

"A good result at a circuit as technical as Mugello has given me a lot of confidence and helped me fully get over the disappointment of my bad results in France and China," Elias said.

"Now it is the turn of the Spaniards to race at home. Riding in front of so many fans in Barcelona gives you an incredible feeling and that extra motivation can help me get a top result this weekend. I feel confident and highly motivated.

"I know it will be tough because Montmelo is a demanding circuit, with a very long straight that will make things even harder."