Pedrosa now holds a four point lead over Rossi in the championship standings, with Stoner advancing to within 25 points - one race win - of the Italian heading into the German Grand Prix, at Sachsenring, on July 13.

"I am glad for these five points [for eleventh] 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," concluded Rossi.

Team manager Davide Brivio repeated Rossi's apology to the unfortunate de Puniet and also reiterated just how important his Assen eleventh may turn out to be.

"This was a good race for Valentino, except for the first lap!" began the Italian. "The crash was unfortunate and we're very sorry to Randy de Puniet and the LCR team; we apologise to them all and we hope that Randy is okay.

"Once Valentino remounted what he did was simply amazing, especially without a gear-shift and with a bent handlebar! For several laps he was the fastest rider on the track, which shows once again his spirit and determination, although it's also disappointing because it's clear that we could have done a good race today.

"These five points today are incredibly important because they have kept the gap to Pedrosa to just four points, with half of the season still remaining. Now we will just have to start again in Sachsenring and hope for a better weekend."

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