Rossi predicts another battle with Stoner

Rossi and Stoner produced one of the greatest races in MotoGP history in America, and the seven-time champion believes all the ingredients are in place for them to pick up where they left off in California.

Asked by autosport.com if he thought Brno would be another Rossi versus Stoner battle, the Italian replied: "Looking at the performance level now, maybe yes, because me and Casey are a little bit faster than the other Bridgestone guys and [Dani] Pedrosa has a problem with his wrist so maybe it is possible to have another battle.

"I think that in Laguna I improved a lot with my riding style, with the line, because I don't know Laguna like Brno, I had less experience," he added. "Here I have raced for a lot more years, I know this track. Also the bike is improving so we are very close.

"But anyway, Stoner is very strong and very difficult to beat."

Rossi also confirmed that there were no problems between him and Stoner after their post-race spat in the US and added that he understood Stoner's frustration in the aftermath of the race.

"Yes [he apologised]," said Rossi. "But for me I wasn't upset with him. Because I know he said something bad after the race just because he was very hot and upset to lose the race. So for me the relationship is the same."

Rossi added that he was happy with his Yamaha after practice and confident that improvements to the M1 meant he had confidence ahead of any fight he might face with Stoner.

"We modified a bit the set-up of the bike to try and improve the braking and the stability in the corners," he said. "In the middle of the afternoon we tried something different, but I wasn't very fast. At the end we fixed the problem and now my bike turns like I want.

"The last run was quite good, I make a 57.4, maybe it is possible to make a bit better if I had another lap but the track is finished so I am quite confident for the dry conditions.