Italian ace has won last five season openers and titles (ANSA) - Jerez, March 24 - Seven-time world champion Valentino Rossi set the pace for Sunday's MotoGP season opener here by grabbing the provisional pole position on Friday .

Rossi, who has won the opening race for the last five seasons, skipped the first practice session in the morning to then come on strong in the afternoon and clock the fastest time for the day .

The Italian's stunning performance was a clear indication that Yamaha has resolved the vibration problems which had been nagging the bike in pre-season trials .



The 27-year-old was clearly at ease here, where he set the track record last year, and made it clear that not only was it his intention to win his sixth season opener in a row, but also his sixth consecutive MotoGP championship. Speaking before the race weekend got under way, Rossi said "the first race in the season is always an adrenalin rush .

"From here on it's the real thing. Everyone will be going full throttle and after months of tests we will finally see what has paid off". Loris Capirossi, a leading contender to dethrone Rossi after five straight years, was second in the afternoon practice with his Ducati after setting the fastest time in the morning .

Local fans were thrilled to see Spaniards Daniel Pedrosa and Sete Gibernau clock the third and fourth best times, respectively on their Honda and Ducati bikes .

Gibernau was considered Rossi's biggest rival a couple of years ago but it is now the 20-year-old Honda rider who has become the new local hero, after winning the last two 250cc titles and the 125cc championship in 2003 .

Rossi agreed and said that "up until a few months ago I would have said Marco Melandri was the greatest threat to my title. But today I'd have to say Daniel Pedrosa is". Melandri, who won the final last two races last year and appears to be Honda's point man, was sixth behind the Kawasaki of Shinya Nakano in the second practice after coming in second in the first .

There will be a third practice Saturday morning before the qualifying session in the afternoon .