Rossi confident of good race pace

The four-time champion finished on the podium in the last two races in Spain and Portugal but says he and his Fiat Yamaha team have taken a step forward with the bike in China.

"At Jerez and Portugal we were quite fast, but this is the first time we've been fast with used tyres as well," he said. "The rear tyre is working well and the set-up is good, so I'm confident for tomorrow."

Rossi expects a close race, but also predicted that the weather would play a part in the result.

"Unfortunately we don't have the power to decide the weather," he added. "We're working well in the dry conditions, but the situation for us in the wet is not so bad.

"Everybody is very close and this track is long but not so technical, so the lap times are all very close."