Rossi: Sete was very angry.

Saturday's Dutch TT tested the amiable relationship between championship contenders Sete Gibernau and Valentino Rossi to the very limit.

The pair have battled for GP victories since South Africa 2003 but, Sachsenring aside (where Gibernau beat Rossi at the final corner), have always kept their race faces firmly hidden.

However, after leading all but the final few hundred metres of Saturday's race, Sete - who lost his chance of victory after contact between the two - couldn't hide his bitter disappointment.

Rossi had made a brave overtaking manoeuvre in the Stekkenwal corner on the last lap, but then momentarily lost the front end in the following tight Mandeveen right-hander, snapping Gibernau's front mudguard as the Honda ran into the rear wheel of his Yamaha.

Ironically, Rossi's problem proved to be the decisive moment of the race as he opened up a crucial advantage in the final charge for the line, while Gibernau was left with a face like thunder as he pulled into park ferme... and was still clearly fuming on the podium.

"I made a mistake and had to brake early or I would have crashed," said Rossi, explaining why he slowed so suddenly in front of the Spaniard. "I did not even feel Sete touch me. He was very angry, but I explained what happened."

For his part, and after having chance to cool down, Gibernau appeared to accept that the contact hadn't been deliberate.

"I had a good chance right until the end but we touched on the last lap - Valentino explained that he almost fell and, if that's the case, then there's nothing for me to say," shrugged Sete. "These things happen in racing. We had a good battle in another great race."

Round seven of the 2004 world championship, the Rio Grand Prix, takes place next Sunday.