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By Alan Baldwin LONDON, April 5 (Reuters)

After his worst start to a season in six years, MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi needs a win in Qatar on Saturday for both points and pride.

"I am looking forward to going to Qatar and erasing the bad memories," said the Yamaha rider who fell at the first corner in the Spanish season-opener two weeks ago and struggled home in 14th place.

It was the first time since 2000 that the 27-year-old Italian had not won the first race of the year, after his bike was plagued with vibrations on the Jerez circuit. It was also his lowest finish in the top class.

"Our bike worked really well when we went to Qatar for pre-season testing so we hope that this will be the case again," said Rossi, winner in 2005 in the desert heat.

"Last year my victory in Qatar was probably the most exciting race of the season for me, the whole race was at ridden at the maximum and I had a great, great battle with (compatriot Marco) Melandri," added Rossi in a team preview.

"I hope that we can have another good race this year, and of course I hope that I can win again and get our championship defence back on track."

Rossi has gone three races without a win and failure to win on Saturday would be the longest period he has been kept off the top of the podium since 2003.

Loris Capirossi won for Ducati in Jerez from pole and Rossi's compatriot, who celebrated his 33rd birthday on Tuesday, believes he can stay on top at the Losail circuit despite disappointing results there in the last two years.

In 2004 he retired with mechanical problems while last year he limped home 10th after starting on pole.

"I had a perfect bike and perfect tyres at Jerez and we have a simple target for Qatar -- to do the same all over again," declared Capirossi.

"We are quite confident but we know it won't be easy. The toughest thing in Qatar can be the weather.

"Two years ago it was almost 40 degrees which made riding really tough. I hope it will be cooler this time because we're there in early April, not early October."

Other men to watch will include Melandri and Honda's Spaniard Dani Pedrosa, whose second place in Jerez made him the second youngest rider after the late Mike 'The Bike' Hailwood to stand on the podium in the three grand prix classes.

If he were to win in Qatar, the 20-year-old would become the youngest rider to do so in the top category.

American Nicky Hayden, Pedrosa's Honda team mate who set a lap record in Qatar last year, has finished on the last five podiums and should challenge in Qatar.

((SPORT-MOTORCYCLING-PREVIEW; editing by Robert Woodward; Reuters Messaging; alan.baldwin.reuters.com@reuters.net; +44 207 542 7933))