Yamaha's Valentino Rossi was in confident mood on Thursday (23rd June) ahead of the MotoGP Grand Prix of Assen, which he says is among the best tracks on the calendar.

SOUNDBITE: (English) Valentino Rossi:

"Assen is one of the best tracks in the season, one of my favourites, and also good for other riders because it's a great track and last year it was one of the best weekends for me. At the end I was able to win after a battle with Marc (Marquez) but all weekend I was stronger, I started form pole position but it was good but this year is different."

SOUNDBITE: (English) Jorge Lorenzo:

"For me the past is the past and for five years or so its in the past and now we are just looking for the future. Last year we finished third, a bad race at the start of the race, but we can be positive about the future of this track."

SOUNDBITE: (English) Marc Marquez:

"Honda is working hard, we are trying to improve our acceleration - our weak point at the moment - we will see in the future, something will arrive if we work hard. We will see."