Rossi 'quite optimistic I can be strong'

Valentino Rossi is 'quite optimistic' of a strong performance in Japan this weekend, when the cause of Yamaha's strong showing in Thailand should become clearer.

Last year's Motegi round was a wet and miserable affair for the factory Yamaha riders, Rossi qualifying in twelfth place and then falling during the race. However it did provide a piece in the puzzle as far as chassis direction.

Tech3 Yamaha's Johann Zarco put the 2016 M1 on pole position and finished as the top Yamaha rider in eighth, just ahead of Rossi's team-mate Maverick Vinales.

Meanwhile, test rider Katsuyuki Nakasuga struggled, like Rossi and Vinales, throughout the weekend on the 2017 machine, adding further weight to the theory that a return to the 2016-style chassis was needed (and duly made) for this season.

The chassis is one area of the current M1 package that Rossi says he is happy with, the Italian pushing for electronic and engine developments to help with acceleration as Yamaha's record losing streak continues.

But the surprise Buriram performance - where Vinales and Rossi were competitive throughout the weekend, finishing within reach of victory in third (+0.270s) and fourth (+1.564s) respectively - has provided optimism for Japan.

"I came to Japan feeling quite optimistic that I can be strong here too," said Rossi, who returned home to Italy after the Thai round.

"Usually Motegi is a good track for me, I like it.

"I hope it will be dry, because last year was a nightmare, it was always wet."

There were no major changes to the M1 in Thailand, although Vinales tried a different weight balance. The next few events should show if the strong Thailand form was a one-off, or if Yamaha found something that can be carried over to three very different circuits.

"We'll see what happens at the upcoming three races, not just this one in Japan. If we really improved the bike last time round, we should be competitive at the next three GPs," Rossi said.

Despite going five races without a podium, Rossi is third in the world championship, 22 points from Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati) and 26 ahead of Vinales.

Yamaha has not won a race since last year's Assen round, marking it's longest losing streak in the premier-class.