Rossi surprised by Hopkins

Valentino Rossi was content to settle for second in yesterday's first qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi.

Valentino Rossi was content to settle for second in yesterday's first qualifying for the Japanese Grand Prix at Motegi.

The world champion, who is closing on a fourth-consecutive crown, was kept off provisional pole position by John Hopkins, who sprang a surprise on his Suzuki.

But Rossi, who rides for Gauloises Yamaha, is happy with his progress so far, and expects better when final qualifying kicks off.

The Italian said: "I'm happy because the bike is going well here, and better this afternoon than this morning. It feels stable and good to ride. We've made good improvements since the Brno test and also at the Estoril test, and we have a bit better pace.

"Honda and Suzuki seem very competitive here but so are we. This is not my favourite circuit but when the bike works well, the track always seems better."

Rossi's title rivals suffered poor days, particularly Telefonica Movistar Honda's Sete Gibernau, who ended up 10th. Camel Honda's Max Biaggi fared better and took provisional fourth place despite problems with his qualifying tyres. Team-mate Makoto Tamada was third quickest.

Neil Hodgson was Britain's top rider, taking his D'Antin Ducati to 14th, less than one and a half seconds off Hopkins' pace. Jeremy McWilliams was a disappointing 21st while his Aprilia team-mate Shane Byrne struggled on his return from a dislocated wrist and ended the session 23rd.