Movistar Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi was downbeat after having to settle for fourth place in the Sachsenring MotoGP and said he hoped to at least stay with team-mate Jorge Lorenzo and fight for a podium.

The Doctor said that following his pace in morning warm-up on a rear that had done at least 30 laps, he thought he could fight with Lorenzo if he couldn’t live with the Repsol Hondas.

“It’s not exactly what I expect as I hope to do a better race. This morning in the warm-up I was quite strong considering for the problem of yesterday I had a very old rear tyre but I could keep a good pace with more than 30 lap on the tyre,” said Rossi, speaking at the track.

“For sure the conditions also today is a problem for everyone but for me personally, during all the race I wasn’t fast enough, I wasn’t able to ride in a better way, like this morning.

“I think that with the Honda, it is very difficult but I hope to stay with Jorge for the podium but he was faster and stronger and I cannot no nothing. I am a little bit sad, I expect to do a little bit more.”