Source: Supplied.

Multi-time world champion Valentino Rossi has emphasised the importance of the upcoming pre-season tests for the 2018 MotoGP World Championship in order to be more competitive next year.

Rossi wound up fifth in the 2017 standings after lodging a fifth place finish at Valencia’s finale over the weekend in Spain, despite a leg injury hampering much of the second half of the year for him.

The Movistar Yamaha ace reflected on his performance on Sunday, stating he wanted to do better, although a lack of grip saw him struggle to be in the mix for a podium.

“We wanted to do better, for sure,” Rossi commented. “But it was the kind of race I was expecting. I knew we had to suffer because my pace during the weekend wasn’t fantastic.

“We didn’t have enough grip, so we struggled. Now we think the pre-season tests will be very important, because we have to reduce the gap, improve the setting and try to arrive ready for next season.”

The MotoGP paddock will return to Valencia today for the first pre-season test, while a selection of tests will take place in the opening months of the new year.