Rossi at a loss over lack of speed

Although the Italian was having to learn the circuit having missed last year's race due to his leg-breaking Mugello accident, he said a lack of track knowledge was far from the biggest issue, as problems on corner entry left him over three seconds off the pace.

"It's been a very difficult day - actually, a very difficult weekend," said Rossi. "We were a long way off on Friday, but in a way it was understandable since I didn't know the track.

"Today, though, I had hoped to do much better, but we only lowered our time by one second, while the others cut two.

"The gap is considerable, and we're even having trouble compared to the other Ducatis, so evidently we haven't managed to work well at this track.

"I'm having difficulty riding, I'm slow on corner entry, and I'm not able to take the lines I want. We found many things with the bike's settings, but without making progress."

Rossi is not convinced that even rain for race day would make much difference to his form.

"They're saying it's supposed to rain tomorrow, so we'll see," he said. "I don't think we can be as competitive in the wet as we have been on other tracks, but it would probably be a bit better than dry. Anyway, we have to do the best with what we have."