Assen MotoGP: Randy de Puniet frustrated by Valentino Rossi error

French rider Randy de Puniet could not hide his disappointment as his Dutch MotoGP lasted less than a lap following a collision with Valentino Rossi.

The LCR Honda rider was the innocent victim of Rossi’s blunder at the third corner, and while Rossi remounted to finish 11th, de Puniet couldn’t continue.

De Puniet said: “We all deserve a lot better than this. Since the beginning of this weekend my pace was consistently fast and could stay with the top five riders today. I made a very good start and was in the fifth position when Rossi crashed and I was in the wrong place at the wrong time.

“We both went out in the gravel but he rejoined the race. Probably he arrived too fast and lost the rear in the braking hitting my bike. I am very disappointed because we could fight for a good result here. Luckily I only suffered a small abrasion in my left thigh.”