Valentino Rossi feels this weekend’s MotoGP event in America will prove if he genuinely has a shot at a seventh title.

Valentino Rossi... crucial race in Texas this weekend.

Valentino Rossi, 35, finished a superb second to reigning champion Marc Marquez in the season-opener in Qatar three weeks ago, missing out by just 0.259 seconds after starting from 10th on the grid.

For the Italian veteran, claiming the runner-up spot at the Losail circuit was a repeat of last year, a result that ultimately proved to be his best of what was an ultimately disappointing campaign.

On this occasion, Rossi heads into the Grand Prix of the Americas in Austin, Texas, buoyed by Yamaha’s early-season form.

“The season started well, but now we need confirmation,” said Rossi, who set a new record in Qatar for point-scoring finishes, now at 262, to edge one ahead of Loris Capirossi.

“Last year, I had one of my worst races of the season in Texas, and this year I want to see if we can be competitive everywhere.

“Getting a good result in Austin would mean a lot for me and for Yamaha. It would mean the direction taken is the right one.

“So we will try to do our best to be competitive in Austin because I’d like to have fun, like I did in Qatar.”

Rossi, though, was aided by a number of crashes, including that of team-mate Jorge Lorenzo, who charged through from fifth to first on lap one, only to make an early exit.

The two-time champion, who missed out by four points last season, is eager to make amends for his mistake after seeing main rival Marquez take the chequered flag in Qatar and already open up a big cushion.

“After a very disappointing result in the Qatar race I’m looking forward to racing at Austin to try to get a good result and forget as soon as possible all the things that happened in Losail,” said Lorenzo.

As for fellow Spaniard Marquez, the ominous warning for all of his rivals was that his victory in Qatar came just weeks after he broke his right leg, forcing him to compensate during the race on occasion.

A further three weeks on and Marquez is closing in on full fitness as he said: “Since round one I’ve been focusing on getting my leg stronger and my body fitter in preparation for this race.

“Thankfully the majority of hard turns at this track are left handers which is easier on my leg as I’m still not 100 per cent fit.

“This track is also one of my favourites. I had a good race here last year, with good memories of taking my first win in MotoGP.”