Melandri says his situation not alarming

Melandri has joined the Ducati team from Honda Gresini and the Italian has had a lot of problems adapting to the Italian bike, failing to match the pace of world champion Casey Stoner.

And although Melandri admits the start of the season will not be easy for him, he claims the situation is not as worrying as it looks.

"As far as I'm concerned, we've worked hard throughout the winter in trying to improve the feeling," Melandri told Gazzetta dello Sport. "I feel the bike has improved, but we must still try to improve the final package. However, the situation is not as alarming as it has been described at the last test.

"It won't be easy, I know we'll have to work hard, but there's a will to do well."

Melandri reckons it will be very hard for any rider to beat Stoner this year, but he admits he is motivated by the challenge.

"Well, to see him so quick is motivating from one side, because nevertheless we have the same bike, so that means it's possible to be this quick with this bike," he said. "From the other side, he's really really strong, at the moment I don't think any rider is in such a good shape, so he'll certainly be the rider to beat.

"That's the rule: you first have to beat your teammate. It's not an easy job, but we are here to enjoy ourselves, to do our best, and to give Ducati some satisfaction."

The Italian rider says he is only thinking about improving his feeling with the bike before he sets his goals for the year.

"At the moment I'd just like to find the smoothness to allow me to be quicker more easily," he added. "The favourites are certainly Stoner, I see Pedrosa with the Michelins on Honda doing well, I expect Valentino to be very competitive.

"As for me I don't know: I think I can improve a lot already for the first race, but at the moment it's hard to forecast something for the long term.

"I don't know how much we'll be able to work well and in how little time, so it's hard. As I said, if I'm able to ride the bike more smoothly and improve the feeling at the rear, which I lacked in the last test, I think I can do well, and I believe in that."