Pedrosa not relying on testing pace

The Spaniard was quickest in testing at the track last November, and in the IRTA test just before the start of the season he finished second in the official timed session to Valentino Rossi.

However, Pedrosa does not believe that the team can head into the second round of the season confident of better results just because of their testing form at the track.

"The tests over the winter went well at Jerez," he said. "I was able to finish near the top, but that was also the case in Qatar so we need to stay focused on improving."

Pedrosa was the top Honda rider in Qatar with his third place finish, but the former 250cc world champion was never in contention for victory with Casey Stoner and Valentino Rossi.

"The result in Qatar was quite good, but now we must really push and try to improve so we can fight at the front until the end," Pedrosa added.

"It is important to achieve consistency in the race, and we must work hard to get quicker because some of the other teams are going really fast now."

World champion Nicky Hayden had a more disappointing start to the year as he finished eighth in Qatar, but the American believes that the team will bounce back.

"That was a disappointing result in Qatar, but it's a long championship and I believe I've got the skills to get the job done," he said. "I like the track at Jerez, and hopefully we can have a good weekend."