Yamaha play down 'favourite' talk

The squad has dominated much of winter testing, with Colin Edwards recently suggesting that "if Valentino (Rossi) and I don't finish one-two in the championship there's a problem."

But Burgess, who has wrapped up eleven world titles as a crew chief with Wayne Gardner, Mick Doohan and Valentino Rossi, insisted that there was no fundamental reason why this year's 800cc Yamaha should have a greater margin over the field than the bike that Rossi nearly took to the 2006 title.

"We just have a similar layout as last year, with the same engine across the frame, and the same firing order," he said.

Burgess wryly suggested that any advantage that Yamaha possessed was in their rider strength rather than their technical package.

"But we have a secret weapon," he said. "We have Valentino Rossi..."

Rossi was extremely confident after Saturday's test, which he had dominated until Marco Melandri put in a late flying lap.

"After today we're happy because we can understand that we did a great job when we were here in November," said Rossi.

"We started with the same setting and the bike was fast straight away, then afterwards we tried a new setting from January and February, with the suspension and other things, and it felt even better.

"I had a great feeling with the front and also with the rear, and I had a lot of confidence with my bike. The balance was good under acceleration and I was able to go fast and in a good rhythm.

"Tomorrow we've got some more things to try and also some more tyres from Michelin, so we hope to make even more improvements."