Italian motorcycling ace Valentino Rossi on Tuesday set a new track record in pre-season tests at the Sepang track in Malaysia.
The feat by the Yamaha rider was seen by observers as a response to reigning world champion Casey Stoner, who last week broke the track record at Phillip Island, in his native Australia, with his Ducati.
''I'm sorry I didn't take part in the tests in Australia because we could have done well there, too. Casey right now is very strong and we still have a lot to do if we want to keep up with him,'' the Yamaha rider said after Tuesday's tests.
Rossi, who won the premier title five years in a row (2001-2005), completed 64 laps using Bridgestone race-quality tires in his first real tests of the year.
The Italian rider, who turns 29 later this month, has made no secret of his quest to take back the title which has escaped him for the past two years.
In hope of improving his chances, Rossi this season switched to Bridgestone after failing to win the title with Michelin tires in 2007 and 2006.
''Things are going really well with Bridgestone and my technicians are really good and really focused. We still have a ways to go but I hope we'll be ready for the first race,'' Rossi said on Tuesday.
The first race of the 2008 season will be the Qatar Grand Prix at the Losail circuit on March 9.
After Rossi the best times in Sepang were clocked by Honda's official rider Nicky Hayden, who beat Rossi in the last race to win the 2006 title, followed by Honda's Shinya Nakano and Rossi's new teammate Jorge Lorenzo, using Michelin tires.
Aside from his five premier titles, Rossi also won the 125cc and 250cc championships.
Last month he firmly denied rumors that he would quit racing if didn't capture this year's championship.
''Me? Retire? No way. I don't know why people keep asking me,'' he said during the official presentation of his Fiat-Yamaha team.
''I'll carry on racing for as long as I have a chance of winning,'' he continued, adding that he hoped to stay with Yamaha till the end of his career.
