Nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi believes there was something that Yamaha didn’t understand about the Michelin tyres in dry conditions as Franco Morbidelli - who won at Aragon - was the marque’s best finisher in 11th place at Valencia.

Rossi only completed four laps before his YZR-M1 conked out with an ‘electrical problem’ and he said he was struggling ahead of next weekend’s race at the same venue.

“Here we are in a lot, a lot of trouble. It’s like we don’t understand something from the tyres,” said Rossi, speaking at Valencia.

“And also we have the problem with the engine as the bike is slow in the straight but also we have a big reliability problem, so it’s not easy.”

Yamaha’s riders are all on their last engines - aside from Maverick Vinales who has unsealed a sixth - but Rossi said his problem wasn’t a broken motor.

I just had no power but I don’t think the engine broke, just stop.

“Is a great shame for me as today I need to make all the race and to ride the bike for 27 laps for take dome data for next week.

“The situation with Yamaha is not easy but the last race Yamaha won with Franco. We are struggling to find grip here. It wasn’t a great weekend for me to find a way to improve, but we will see what we can do next week.”