Valentino Rossi had an early exit to the Emilia Romagna GP on Sunday, after crashing during the race while chasing a podium finish.
The Italian rider folded the front of his Yamaha M1 at turn 4, causing the bike and himself to slide into the gravel trap, putting an end to his home Grand Prix.
Explaining how the incident occurred, Rossi said: “I was there in the pack with the other riders around and into Turn 4 I lost the front. I didn’t expect it because I wasn’t that fast.”
Despite the disappointing end to his home race, the nine-time world champion is hopeful of a better result at the Catalan GP next weekend.
“It’s a shame, because it was important to take some points, but it’s like this and we have another race next week in Barcelona, so we will try there”, he said.
He added that the Spanish track will be “very different” to the Misano World circuit but that he “really likes it.”
Rossi also mentioned that while he is not in a position to fight for it, there are a lot of riders who could have a chance of taking the title during an unusual season.
“The championship is open for everybody. It was important today to take points but this season is strange – crazy – but the championship is still very long and we will try and do some good races from next weekend”, he said.