Saturday, 12th April 2008

Valentino Rossi aims to fight for his first ever Bridgestone victory in Sunday's Portuguese Grand prix, after qualifying on the front row for the very first time with the Japanese rubber.

Indeed, the Fiat Yamaha star's third position, behind team-mate Jorge Lorenzo and Honda's Dani Pedrosa, marked the first time that any Bridgestone rider has qualified on the front row this year.

But while Michelin riders dominate the top ten, Rossi - whose most recent MotoGP victory was in last September's Estoril race - is full of confidence for Sunday's main event.

"I'm really happy!" smiled Valentino, looking to break a six race losing streak. "It's very important to be on the first row here and now we can think about trying to win tomorrow.

"We've made some big steps forward with Bridgestone and considering that every time we use the qualifying tyre it's still a bit like a test, it's a great achievement to be here. Today my bike and tyres worked very well and I felt confident and strong. We have a good setting and I can ride how I want to, which is great fun as well!

"Now I really hope that we can have a good race tomorrow. The weather is a worry and we will have to wait until last thing to make our final tyre choice, but we have some good ideas. Lorenzo and Pedrosa are looking very strong but I think we are not so far and we have a chance to be there tomorrow," added the #46, who finished second to Pedrosa last time out in Jerez.

"We've had four very good practice sessions over the last two days and now to start on the front row is a big achievement from everyone," declared team manager Davide Brivio. "We have a good race pace as well and so it seems that everything is coming together for us. Valentino has a good feeling from his bike and tyres and we're really looking forward to the race now. It's going to be difficult as usual but we will hope to stay at the front and fight for the victory."

Rossi's rate of progress with his new tyres was illustrated by the next best Bridgestone rider - world champion Casey Stoner no less - qualifying just ninth on the grid. John Hopkins was tenth for Kawasaki.



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