Rossi: Fastest time mentally important

The world champion worked with both the 2008 and a prototype of the 2009 Yamaha at the Spanish circuit and just edged Honda rival Dani Pedrosa near the end of the final day of testing.

Pedrosa was also riding a 2009 prototype and Rossi reckons it was important to beat the Japanese squad to the top of the times ahead of the testing ban.

"We've done a good job. I concentrated on the new bike, and managed to end 2008 ahead of everyone. It's been an extraordinary and wonderful year for me, I'll remember it forever," Rossi was quoted as saying by Gazzetta dello Sport.

"From a certain point of view, to be quickest here meant nothing, but from a psychological aspect it's important.

"Indeed, when I got the fastest time, Pedrosa got back on the track to beat me, but didn't manage to. Going on vacation in first place is a lot more relaxing."

He added: "We tried different parts for the engine and worked on the frame, and in the end we found a set-up I liked. After this test, they'll have a lot more indications to build the 2009 M1 in Japan.

"I was the quickest, but Pedrosa was overall more consistent than me with the hard tyre. That means Honda looks strong, even though Dovizioso didn't go too well.

"Stoner, Ducati's strongest rider, is missing, but the good laptimes set by Hayden and test rider Guareschi confirm that the GP9 has improved.

"The first proper test with the new tyres went fairly well. Surely it will be difficult for Bridgestone to choose the right tyre to bring to each track. The problem is that two compounds only are too few. The riders asked for one more choice, but didn't get it."