Rossi believes could be better during the race

Le Mans - Valentino Rossi to accept the fact that quite stifling of French GP qualifying results on Saturday (14/5/11), because they have to start from position nine. Nevertheless, "The Doctor" is slowly but sure he will lunge forward during the race later on Sunday (15/5/11). This is because his Ducati Desmosedici GP11 has progressed quite rapidly.

Indeed, throughout this weekend Rossi had difficulty to compensate for the speed of its rivals. Even during qualifying, he and his team mate, Nicky Hayden, unable to compete with the Tech 3 Yamaha rider, so they have to start from position 9-10, behind the four riders and four-rider Honda Yamaha but Casey Stoner in 1st posotion.

"Certainly his position is very bad, but we have to improve the performance and I can drive a motorcycle with better," said Rossi. "So, I am rather pleased that we can solve many problems of yesterday and this morning.

"The problem for my position is that the softer tires during qualifying, because the Yamaha rider can improve his time records than us, so that (Cal) Crutchlow, Colin (Edwards) and (Ben) Spies also in front, though during their workout behind. So I had to start from ninth position, but we're not too far (speed). "

Rossi is also sure, he can compete with Yamaha in the race later. Nevertheless, seven times MotoGP world champion admitted, it is difficult for him to stop the domination of Honda.

"Realistically, Honda too fast for me, and as a whole for everything," explained the Italian rider. "(Jorge) Lorenzo was the fastest rider without a Honda, but we're not too far away (distance), so if tomorrow we could do with a good race, we can achieve a better position than today."

But Rossi added that he still needs to make better progress during warm-ups. Moreover, the character of the circuit is also quite difficult, especially in conditions that do not fit after shoulder surgery late last year.

"Tomorrow I still have to resolve some issues and of course at the end of the race, I had to endure because of race at this track is very difficult for my shoulder, so I'll lose a lot of energy. So, I have to keep pushing and trying to get a good speed - trying to to be in a record 1 minute 34 seconds per lap, "said Rossi.