Assen MotoGP: First lap blunder costs Valentino Rossi

Valentino Rossi surrendered the MotoGP world championship lead to Dani Pedrosa and saw Casey Stoner move ominously closer to him in the standings after a nightmare Dutch MotoGP in Assen today.

The Fiat Yamaha rider crashed out on the first lap – taking out an innocent Randy de Puniet in the process – but he recovered to finish 11th to collect what could be five precious points.

But with Aussie Stoner cruising to his second successive win, Rossi is now only 25-points clear of the factory Ducati rider and he said: “After seven podiums in a row I made a mistake today – this is racing!

“I am very disappointed because we made a change to the set-up of the front and it worked very well, and I could tell from the warm-up lap that my bike was very good today. Unfortunately I made a mistake at the first left; I arrived too fast when the tyres were still cold, I was too hard on the brakes and I lost the rear.

“ I am sincerely sorry to Randy de Puniet and all of his team. After the crash I had a bent handlebar and no gear shifter, but despite this I was able to do the third fastest lap time, 37.1!

“I know I could have been faster than Pedrosa today and, although it’s easy to say now, I think I could have fought with Stoner for the win. I am glad for these five points and although we have lost the lead we are not far behind Pedrosa.

“I am looking forward now to some more technical improvements for my bike and being fast, together with Bridgestone, at every track.”