Pictures: Rossi, Melandri clash.

It was supposed to be the weekend in which Valentino Rossi celebrated winning his seventh world title - in front of the Yamaha bosses and in the 50th year of the company's existence - but instead the 2005 Japanese Grand Prix will be a race both Rossi and Yamaha will want to forget.

After struggling in practice and qualifying, Rossi began the race from just eleventh on the grid - but soon made excellent progress once the race started, catching the leading trio of Marco Melandri, Loris Capirossi and Max Biaggi by lap four of 24.

Melandri would lead all the way to lap 11, when he began to lose pace and was passed by both Biaggi and Capirossi. He then fell further back towards Rossi and on 'unlucky' lap 13 the world champion tried what looked like an unusually rash overtaking attempt at the end of the back straight - which saw him ram the rear of Melandri's machine after appearing to outbrake himself.

However, Rossi would later claim that he hadn't been trying to overtake Melandri, who was left needing medical treatment as a result of the impact (pictured), but again repeated his apology for causing the accident.

"I was able to pass a lot of people in the first few laps, but I started to have a few problems with the front tyre when I arrived behind the front three. I knew it would be a risk to try and overtake and I expected Loris to pass Max in the final few laps. I knew I could be World Champion with fourth place and so I decided to just wait and do my race," began a downbeat Valentino.

"Then Marco made a small mistake and suddenly I was behind him. It was the first time I had followed him into turn ten and we took completely different lines. He went to the outside of the track to cut across and get good acceleration out of the corner but I went to the inside to run wider on the exit.

"For the first 50m of braking we were at exactly the same speed so there was no warning, but he was able to stop the bike much harder than me and I couldn't avoid him. You can't see it very well on the television but I wasn't even trying to pass him, it was just one of those things.

"I apologised to Marco and he said 'it happens.' Now I am very concerned for him and I just hope he is ok," concluded the Italian.

Melandri underwent minor surgery in the Clinica Mobile for a deep flesh wound to his right foot immediately after the incident, and was then flown to the local Dokkyo hospital for more detailed examinations.

The flesh wound is thought to have been caused by a footrest, probably from his own Movistar Honda. It is not yet known if Melandri has sustained any additional bone fractures or if he will be fit to ride at next Sunday's Malaysian Grand Prix.

"We still don't know the extent of the injury, or whether he will be fit to race next week," confirmed Movistar Honda team manager Fausto Gresini, whose other rider - Sete Gibernau - also crashed out. "I am gutted because I thought both riders worked well for this race and we had hoped for a much different result."

Meanwhile, Honda put in official protest after the accident for which they blamed Rossi, but it was turned down by Race Direction.

"Our first concern is for Marco Melandri. We are not sure of his injuries just yet but we hope it is not serious and I wish him well on behalf of the whole team," said Gauloises Yamaha team director Davide Brivio. "There was a protest against Valentino put forward by Honda on behalf of all its MotoGP Teams, but Race Direction has judged this unfounded."

However, despite seeing his championship lead cut by 20-points following his first DNF of the season, Rossi will have his second chance to clinch the 2005 MotoGP title next weekend at Sepang.

"As far as the championship is concerned, it is a pity we couldn't finish it off here and for Valentino it is a shame that his run of podiums has been interrupted. All we can do is try to make up for it by taking the points back next time," said Brivio.

With Alex Barros and Sete Gibernau also crashing out, the only rider with a mathematical chance of halting Rossi's championship charge over the next five races is Biaggi, who must score 14-points more than his compatriot to prevent him winning the title in Malaysia.