MotoGP latest: LIVE updates from Qatar qualifying as Valentino Rossi goes for pole

- Qualifying starts at 4.20pm GMT

Valentino Rossi reckons Moto GP fans could be in for a thriller in 2018.

Despite his Yamaha works team having a tricky pre-season, Rossi can still hope to be among the leading pack, though Honda's defending champion Marc Marquez and Ducati's Andrea Dovizioso remain the men to beat.

The pair took the battle down to the wire last year, with Marquez becoming MotoGP's youngest four-times champion at the age of 24.

"This season is the most balanced MotoGP season ever," said Rossi, with a two-year contract extension freshly signed ahead of Sunday's floodlit opener at Qatar's Losail circuit.

"I think eight, nine or 10 riders can fight at the beginning. Over time it becomes less and less, but a lot of riders have the chance to win the first race."

Marquez has won four of the past five titles but Dovizioso pushed him hard and sees no reason why he cannot do better this time around.

"This year I think we have the right situation. We have everything from my side, and from the bike side," Dovizioso said.

"There's a minimum five or six guys who can fight for the championship. Anything can happen. Sure, in the last few years Marc has won, but I think it's completely open."