Now we can go on the attack says Brivio

Davide Brivio was in a highly positive frame of mind at the conclusion of the bwin.com Grande Premio de Portugal weekend having seen his Fiat Yamaha charge Valentino Rossi secure yet another Portuguese podium finish.

Rossi´s ninth consecutive Estoril rostrum appearance - he has never finished outside the top three at the Atlantic coast venue - was another crucial step in his 2008 title challenge, gaining 16 further vital World Championship points on the back of his runner-up spot at round two in Jerez.

Importantly Rossi remains in touch with joint leaders Dani Pedrosa and Jorge Lorenzo, 14 points behind the young Spanish pair in the general classification in third spot, seven points ahead of fourth placed World Champion Casey Stoner.

Starting on the front row for the first time since switching from Michelin to Bridgestone tyres in Portugal, Rossi looked like he might be in line for a first win on Japanese rubber in the first half of Sunday´s contest as he held the lead for 11 laps, but he was unable to match the pace of rivals Lorenzo and Pedrosa later in the race.

Nonetheless, Brivio underlined the importance of Rossi´s Estoril return, telling motogp.com, `It´s a very important result and very positive for us because this is one of the, let´s say `difficult´ circuits. We came here with the idea that it would be a very difficult race, so to have finished on the podium is encouraging.´

Rossi has made good progress in his relationship with new tyre suppliers Bridgestone and was second quickest in the post-weekend Monday test. The Italian rider´s current level of competitiveness and the quality of his overall 2008 package has prompted Brivio to state that now is the time for Rossi to go on the offensive as he seeks to regain the title that he has missed out on for the last couple of years.

`The championship is very long,´ said Brivio. `There are 15 more rounds and if we continue in this manner we will have races where we don´t have to defend, where we can attack.´

Whilst Rossi is currently on his longest winless streak in the premier class since his debut 500cc win in at Donington in 2000, Brivio feels that round four could provide an opportunity for The Doctor to put that right, saying, `Starting from China, last year was a great battle there between Stoner and Valentino but unfortunately our engine was not fast enough.´

`This year we have a better engine, much faster, and the Bridgestones won the race last year so I think we can try the first attack at the next race.´