Rossi: Barcelona's my favourite circuit.

Just five days after the breathtaking Italian Grand Prix, the MotoGP circus fires up again for the first qualifying session for this Sunday's Grand Prix of Catalunya.

Fans will be relishing the thought of round six of the 16-round 2003 Championship, as reigning MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi gears up to defend his 32-point lead in the championship.

Local hero Sete Gibernau, with two wins under his belt this year - to Rossi's three - is sure to be a threat, though, along with on-form Loris Capirossi - who was fastest at the IRTA pre-season tests at Catalunya in March - and Max Biaggi, who has won four times on a 250cc at the circuit situated just outside Barcelona.

Rossi's record at the 4.727km track is also impressive - to say the least. The 24-year old Italian superstar has won on five of his seven visits, and holds both the 250cc lap record from 1998 and the MotoGP lap record set last year on the way to victory aboard his Honda RC211V.

"For me, Barcelona is my favourite circuit," Rossi admitted, "The last two rights coming onto the start finish straight are the best corners, and we arrive in a good position in the championship.

"For sure, the racing is very hard and we make a good show. Mugello was great and we had a good battle with Loris and Max. I think it will be the same racing in Barcelona - and we will also see Sete in there too. He is in good shape and will want to make a good race in front of his home fans.

"The team is working well and the bike is good - we are in good shape and must keep up the hard work. We could see how competitive everyone was in the tests back in March - it was like the 17th GP! Now we look forward to this weekend and racing for points!"

Nicky Hayden, Rossi's 21-year old Repsol Honda team-mate, will be making his race debut at the circuit this weekend, but the young American spent a useful two days at the circuit back in March at the official IRTA tests.

The reigning AMA Superbike champion made rapid progress as he quickly got to grips with the sweeping track and long straight, climbing from 24th fastest after the first day to 13th at the end of the two-day outing.

"I'm really looking forward to racing at Barcelona," Hayden confirmed, "The weekend we've just had at Mugello was not so good, and I'm real happy to get back on a bike quick - sittin' around ain't no good. I just want to get out there; spending more time on the bike and working with the team.

"We tested at the circuit earlier in the year, and had a pretty good result first time out there - 13th fastest, I think. We gotta good foundation to build on. I'm gettin a whole load of good advice and help from the team and from Mick [Doohan] and Tady [Okada]. We always knew it was gonna take time but, like a racer, I guess I want everything now! I've just gotta tell myself to take it step at a time and keep my head down and keep learnin'."