Pedrosa keen to test himself against Rossi

World 250cc champion Daniel Pedrosa is keen to test himself against five-times MotoGP champion Valentino Rossi when he steps up to join the top category next year.

"I am interested to know what I am capable of, and to see how I compare against Valentino Rossi," Pedrosa said.

The 20-year-old Spaniard, who has won three consecutive titles in the 250cc and 125cc classes, started testing with Honda at the new level in Valencia on Wednesday.

"I'm still young and perhaps it is a little early to step up to MotoGP, but that's the situation," he added.

"I hope everyone will be patient with me. I am not worried and intend to take things slowly and calmly to do the best possible preparation."

Rossi, who had already claimed his fifth title in Malaysia, finished third in the last Grand Prix of the season in Valencia on Sunday.