Movistar Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi is struggling for edge grip with the 2014-spec Bridgestone tyres and finds himself some way off the pace so far at Qatar’s MotoGP round.

Rossi only just squeaked in to the top ten for an automatic place in qualifying two tomorrow while over a single fast lap, both he and Lorenzo are nowhere near the pace of fastest man Aleix Espargaro - but Rossi says the top works men are close in terms of race pace.

“We are struggling very much. The bigger problem for us are the new rear tyre from Bridgestone that provide a lot less grip on the edge for our bike, so is difficult. I am just tenth, which is the minimum target,” said Rossi, speaking at Qatar.

“About the pace, a lot a lot of riders are in the same boat. Also Marquez, Pedrosa, Jorge we are very close but Espargaro remain one step forward and also with the pace he is very fast. I think on Sunday, we will all use the same tyre, Open and Factory, but anyway he remain the favourite.”