Rossi: Sete is on top form.

Valentino Rossi has made the Italian Grand Prix his own in recent years, but today the five-times world champion was forced to play a supporting role in front of his adoring home crowd, having been outpaced to the tune of 0.4secs by Sete Gibernau.

Nevertheless, Rossi remained 0.7secs clear of third fastest Max Biaggi - at a circuit where it was believed Yamaha would suffer greatly on top speed - making the day far from a disaster.

"I have put myself in quite a good place, so I am quite happy. We've already improved the bike a lot this morning and again this afternoon. Sete is on top form; so to be more competitive I still need to improve my general set-up," said the Italian.

"My pace feels quite good but I'm sure we can improve. We're having some problems with the rear and the last corner is where we need to make the biggest improvement to suit the racetrack," he revealed. "There is more pressure here in Mugello than anywhere else, so to get a top result this weekend would be the ultimate satisfaction."

Meanwhile, Gauloises Fortuna Yamaha team-mate Carlos Checa backed up his second place last time out at Le Mans, with a provisional fifth at the classically sculpted Mugello circuit.

"With qualifying tyres I have been able to improve my lap time at the end but not as I expected," admitted Checa. "For the race I feel not so bad, we are still working, and we have time tomorrow."

"I think the improvements in lap time are impressive already because it's only Friday. Valentino finished not so far from Gibernau but that was just one lap of qualifying in any case," stated team director Davide Brivio.

"Both Carlos and Valentino were towards the front in the whole session, part of the top package. They are going their own way in set-up and they each have a base. We are going forward with small adjustments, without changing too much."