 Pedrosa (right) and Rossi have been battling for the title all season |
Five-time world champion Valentino Rossi has hit out at the racing skills of title rival Dani Pedrosa. Pedrosa accused Rossi of being "very aggressive when overtaking" at last month's Czech GP.
But Rossi said: "The problem with Pedrosa, at this moment, is that he is not able to overtake.
"He arrives at the front always over-shooting, so the danger is him, not me. He needs more experience and to understand the way to overtake."
Rossi is bidding for his sixth consecutive Australian MotoGP victory on Sunday and is unbeaten around the Phillip Island circuit since 2001.
His win over Loris Capirossi in last Sunday's Malaysian Grand Prix pushed him to within 26 points of championship leader Nicky Hayden, and just four points behind second-placed Pedrosa with four MotoGPs left in the season.
Pedrosa only moved up to the premier class this year after winning the 250cc world championship last season, but Rossi reminded him he was now in a different league.
"I don't know the situation in 250 but this is MotoGP," Rossi said.
"It's a battle, especially when you are fighting for the second-place position with three laps to go."
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Highlights: Rossi snatches Malaysian victory