Rossi, Lorenzo buoyed by smaller gap to Ducati

Rossi split Ducati works duo Andrea Iannone and Andrea Dovizioso on the front row, while Jorge Lorenzo was less than a tenth behind in fourth.

And both men were encouraged by the Yamaha YZR-M1's improved pace, as Ducati had looked set to dominate proceedings after the pre-event test and free practice.

Lorenzo said: "I'm very pleased about today, the position is not the best but also not bad - but especially our progression, the huge recovery from the Ducatis that we made from yesterday to today, especially in qualifying. We, both Yamaha riders, made great laps.

"My lap was not perfect but close to perfect - maybe I miss two or three tenths in [sector] three, during all the weekend this section I wasn't fast, in qualifying I lose too much - but the rest of the circuit I was very competitive. They were a little bit faster but we are there.

Teammate Rossi echoed Lorenzo's sentiments, saying: "We didn't start well this morning in FP3, I suffered because we tried to change something on the bike to improve acceleration - but we did a very good job with the team for the afternoon.

"In fact, in FP4, I was already third behind the two Ducatis and already I feel good. We were able to improve a little bit the balance for qualifying and I felt that I can push more, I felt good in braking and also I could enter [corners] fast - that for our bike is very important.

"For sure, it's important to start from the front row, but now we have to wait for tomorrow. The condition, the temperature, and especially the tyre choice will be important."

Top six all in contention

Rossi reckoned that the fight for victory at the Red Bull Ring could involve as many as six riders, suggesting that Honda's Marc Marquez, who was 0.333s poleman Iannone's pace in P5, and Maverick Vinales, 0.442s off in P6, could both be in contention.

"We are to put one eye on the front, try to stay with [the Ducatis] - but also one eye on the second row" said Rossi.

"The second row [is] Lorenzo, Marquez, Vinales, all three riders have the pace to fight for victory.

"I think that tomorrow the six strongest riders of the season are all in the first two rows, so it can be a good battle."

Lorenzo, likewise, said that, despite losing out in qualifying, points leader Marquez could match the Yamahas' pace on race day.

"I think Valentino, myself and Marquez, we have a similar pace," said the reigning champion. "We have to see how the Ducati are, but the three of us have very similar pace.

"[We need] a good pace, a good pace during the whole race - it will be a very long race. And especially in the second part of the race, to be strong, to have grip and to be competitive, to be in the 24 [1m24s], to not go slower."