Rossi believes victory is out of reach

The Yamaha rider's second place on the grid is his best qualifying performance since Donington Park in June, but Rossi still feels polesitter Casey Stoner will be too fast for him in race conditions.

"For me, I think it's difficult to challenge for the win," said Rossi.

"But to challenge for the podium, yes."

He denied that his pessimism about his Misano chances was an admission that he could no longer beat Stoner to this year's championship. The Australian now has a 60-point lead over Rossi, and secured his fourth consecutive pole position today.

"I'll never give up until the end, for sure, because we have to fight to win the championship," Rossi said.

"But I'm second and it's important to make a good result because the last three races were quite bad and my advantage over the third, fourth and fifth (riders) is not a lot.

"So I try to see the reality. For sure the potential of Casey, Ducati and Bridgestone is a little bit better than us.

"For sure we'll try for it is the type of track where Michelin works well and the Yamaha is also good in the tight corners, but we have to improve a little bit to try and win."

Rossi added that he was not surprised by Stoner's pace at Misano, even though the Ducati has a reputation for being better on quicker circuits.

"This year Casey is fast everywhere, also in the tight tracks, so I expected it," said Rossi.