The Italian rider finished runner-up in the riders' standings for a third season in a row last year, beating teammate Jorge Lorenzo but losing out to Honda's Marc Marquez.

Rossi renewed his Yamaha contract for a further two seasons on the eve of the first race of 2016, and will be partnered by Maverick Vinales this season following Lorenzo's move to Ducati.

But Galbusera believes the events of 2015 – when Rossi and Marquez became embroiled in a bitter personal feud after their clash at Sepang – meant that the seven-time premier class champion was more tense than usual as he sought to avoid further controversy.

"I see him [Rossi] pumped and motivated, ready to go," Galbusera told Gazzetta dello Sport. "In 2016 he was preoccupied, the tests reassured him but he was not as relaxed as normal.

"He knew he had to be careful, that every little incident with Marquez would be amplified. He could not allow anything [to happen].

"But now he returns with one sole objective: to beat everyone. It's a tall order, this season will be hard."

He added: "At Sepang [in testing] we will start to understand how competitive we are, if we are at the level of the others or if we will have to chase Honda and Ducati.

"Now they have made a breakthrough with the electronics, it's the Honda-Marquez package that's most dangerous. They are the combination to beat."

As for Rossi's former teammate Lorenzo, Galbusera said he expects the Spaniard to be competitive enough to win at certain races, but not consistent enough to challenge for a fourth MotoGP crown.

"I don't know what will be the level of Ducati with him [Lorenzo]," said Galbusera. "There will be races where he will do very well and he can win. But I doubt he can fight for the title."