Rossi predicts two-way fight in China

Rossi topped the morning practice session, with Stoner fastest in the afternoon, and the Fiat Yamaha rider is bullish about his chances of taking his first victory of the year.

"I'm quite happy with the start we've made," explained Rossi. "We were able to go fast from the start this morning and the bike setting and the Bridgestone tyres are working very well together.

"We were faster this morning because this afternoon the temperature of the asphalt reached more than 40 degrees and in these conditions the tyres start to slide a bit, which makes it harder. Anyway we have many different tyres to try, plenty of choices and I am quite relaxed.

"My rhythm is very good, I can ride more or less how I want and I think we're in good shape. It seems Stoner and I are a little bit faster than the others and so it looks like it could be another battle like last year. Our bike has more top speed here now so this is important for the long straight, but my corner speed is also good."

The only factor that could wipe out Rossi's prediction of a head-to-head with Stoner is the weather, amid fears of rain for Sunday's race.

"The problem could be that the weather on Sunday might be completely different to how it is now; as usual I prefer to race in the dry but I think we are in quite good shape in the wet as well," he said.