Rossi eager to regain lost crown

The Italian rider, a seven-time world champion, endured a disappointing 2007 season, a year dominated by Ducati rival Casey Stoner, winner of 10 races to the Yamaha rider's four.

Rossi has switched from Michelin to Bridgestone tyres again, although that hasn't stopped Stoner from looking like the man to beat during winter testing.

Rossi admits he will not start the season as favourite, but he is still motivated to return to the top.

"Well, it's good motivation to try to regain that position," Rossi told reporters at Qatar. "It's hard, I have some really tough rivals.

"It's true that I'm not the favourite because the results say I didn't deserve it as I didn't show the fastest speed last year. So it will be nice to try to regain this role and to try to fight for victory."

He added: "I hope that, if I am quick, it won't be a surprise... But there could be surprises. I see Dovizioso and de Puniet very well who with Michelin and the old Honda went really quick. So maybe it will be them."

Rossi is hoping the temperatures won't drop too much during the night at Qatar, something the proved to be a problem during the firsts test there last month.

"The temperature at 11pm drops quite a bit, but it won't change much from 11 to 11:45, I think that it will be rather cold at 11 already, that's what we've seen," he said.

"Let's hope it's a few degrees warmer, as expected by the forecast, because it would be important to have at least 15 or 16 degrees, three more than last week."