Rossi: Stoner, Elias, Pedrosa the guys to beat.

As suggested by Crash.net earlier today, Camel Yamaha's chatter problems - which had been less significant for most of the Qatar weekend - were magnified by the use of qualifying tyres, leaving MotoGP World Champion Valentino Rossi and team-mate Colin Edwards just sixth and eighth on the grid for Saturday's Qatar Grand Prix.

Whilst both riders again demonstrated encouraging pace on race rubber, the improved rear grip offered by the qualifying tyre at the end of the session exaggerated the chatter and prevented them from mounting a serious challenge for a front row start.

"The problem is that when the grip comes up we push more and the bike vibration comes back, so we couldn't use the full potential of the qualifying tyre today and I am only sixth," confirmed Rossi. "Anyway my rhythm is not so bad and there are many riders close together so I think it will be a good battle tomorrow."

Nevertheless, as Rossi indicated, he is in much better shape for the race - when most expect the factory M1 riders to challenge for the team's first victory of 2006, and erase the nightmare of Jerez.

But to achieve such a win, and get his title defence back on track, Rossi believes he'll have to overcome pole sitter Casey Stoner and fellow young Honda riders Toni Elias (third on the grid) and Dani Pedrosa (fifth) - not Jerez winner and second place qualifier Loris Capirossi.

"I am very surprised by Stoner and I would like to give him my sincere congratulations," said Vale. "He has been very fast all weekend and he used the qualifying tyre to 100%, even better than Loris, who has a lot of experience. Loris is in good shape again but I think the guys to beat are the young Honda riders - Stoner, Elias and Pedrosa. Tomorrow we will see but it should be interesting."

"We have had less problems here than we had in Jerez but the situation is still not perfect," summarised team director Davide Brivio. "The qualifying session did not go very well for us but both riders have a decent race pace and I think they are in good shape for tomorrow. It will be hard because no doubt the young riders will push hard from the start. It will be a close battle at the front but I think we can be a part of it."