ITALY, (AFP) - Seven-time world champion Valentino Rossi refuses to write off his title chances with Ducati this season but admits it is a tough ask.
Rossi endured a torrid season last time out, his first with Ducati, finishing in seventh position in the championship and failing to win a single race for the first time in his 15-year career.
In fact he failed to register a pole position for only the third time, and first since 2000, while he managed only one podium finish.
The 32-year-old Italian admits that toppling Casey Stoner and Jorge Lorenzo may be beyond his capabilities on this bike but he is not prepared to begin the season defeated.
"I don't want to take myself out of the running before the championship even begins but you have to be realistic -- we know that we have 1.5 seconds (per lap) to make up," he said.
"Our aim has to be to close in on Honda and Yamaha and only by doing so will we be able to fight for success."
Rossi said last season that he was hampered by injury, which he is not expecting to be a problem this time around.
"Last year I had to take into account my shoulder problems until Barcelona (the fifth race of the season) but this season I'm in shape," he said.
"My hunger to win is undiminished even though, obviously, I belong to another generation and I have to take into account younger and more battle-hardened rivals than I had in the past."
Rossi dismissed suggestions that he might retire rather than risk becoming an also-ran.
"I want to make Ducati strong before I stop. I would like a new two-year contract with Ducati, maybe my last, and then I'll think about how to have fun."
Rossi has won nine world titles in total, having also been champion of the 125cc and 250cc categories before joing the top class in 2000.
However, last season was his first since his debut year that he failed to finish the campaign in the top three.
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