Nine-time world champion Valentino believes the level of competition in MotoGP this season will not be revealed at this weekend’s Qatar opening round and the works Yamaha rider believes it won’t be apparent how many riders will be on the pace until a few rounds are in the can.

Rossi thinks that on paper, there are five or six riders including himself that could challenge for the title but the only evidence for this is test performance and racing is a little different.

I don’t, sincerely, difficult to say. On the paper, he new tyres and especially the new electronics especially can bring the level of more bike and more rider closer. If this happen it mean that it can be a championship better than last year,” said Rossi, speaking in Qatar.

“In the test this was the feeling because especially in the pace, the feeling was that five or six riders were very strong. To be sure, we have to wait the first race or three or four races.”

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