Rossi out to build on Le Mans podium

Valentino Rossi hopes he will be able to build on his podium finish at Le Mans when the MotoGP World Championship heads to Barcelona for the Catalan Grand Prix.

Rossi, 33, has had to endure a miserable series of results since joining Ducati from Yamaha at the end of the 2010 season, but delivered a timely reminder of his brilliance by splashing his way to second place in a rain-soaked French Grand Prix two weeks ago.

"Two Sundays ago, we got a nice result because we took advantage of the wet track, a condition in which we know we can be competitive, but we're aware that we must continue improving in normal, dry conditions," he said.

While the weather undoubtedly played a big part in Rossi's ability to again run at the front, the Italian team have also been buoyed by the encouraging pace they showed in a dry-weather test at Mugello last week.

Despite Rossi's best result for the team at Le Mans, the Italian still stands 48 points adrift of points leader Jorge Lorenzo, but is hopeful of replicating Ducati's wet-weather pace in dry conditions.

Rossi added: "Some of the things we tried in the Mugello test last week seemed promising. It will be interesting to try them on a different track, and with must less time to set the bike up, to see if they're really a small step forward.

"The Catalunya circuit has always been one of my favourites, and although it's hard to imagine another podium, we must still do our best to finish with the front riders."

Lorenzo, meanwhile, is in buoyant mood after his masterful ride to victory in France. The 25-point haul restored the Spaniard to the top of the standings in place of Honda's Casey Stoner, and Lorenzo is bullish about his chances of claiming another win at his home race.

"It's going to be a tough race because our competitors are very strong but our victory in Le Mans has given us extra confidence," he said.

"We know we can be very fast and competitive so we will be focused from the first session. This is a special race for me as my home race so I want to give all the fans the best show that we can."

source:UKPA