Pedrosa to stick with Mugello set-up

The 24-year-old, who lies second in the championship standings, 25 points behind arch rival Jorge Lorenzo, says he hopes that using the same basic set-up as he did in Mugello will allow him a steady baseline to build on this weekend.

"I like to have this basis like in Mugello and go on from there, but it is difficult to say," he said. "For example, here we will try not to touch the bike so much. First I will get into a rhythm, learn the braking points, the gears. In this grand prix, each practice lap the times will be faster.

"So the best approach is to have a clear idea of the track in mind and not play around with the bike too much. For the next GPs I hope what we found in Mugello works."

Pedrosa insists that his approach to the world championship campaign has not changed despite Valentino Rossi's leg injury - which has ruled the legendary Italian out of the hunt for the 2010 title.

Pedrosa began the season badly but has improved steadily since, and dominated in Italy where Rossi was absent following his practice crash. But despite Pedrosa's improved form, the factory Honda rider says not much has changed from his own perspective.

"Rossi left Lorenzo alone on the top of the championship with a big lead," said Pedrosa. "It looks a pretty easy ride for him. For me I just have to keep trying.

"Sure without Rossi you have one more spot in the top three free, because he was always there. But the championship still is the championship, you have to fight against your rivals, against the bike sometimes, against the track, the conditions and external things.

"Rossi was a big thing but still there are many things to consider if you want to win the championship."