Rossi satisfied with recovery

The Yamaha rider, who wrapped up his sixth world title in Japan a month ago, cut through the field in the opening stages, passing Nicky Hayden for third place on lap four and holding the position to the end of the race.

"Unfortunately yesterday we got everything wrong and I had to start from the fourth row," Rossi said. "We always struggle too much on this track.

"However, to finish with a podium and a good recovery is positive, most of all for all the guys who work with me, and for all my fans.

"We modified the settings and I had a great start. In the first laps I was able to overtake all the guys in front quite quickly. Dani was not so far ahead and I tried to push but we were not at 100 per cent today."

Rossi's third place marked his 16th podium finish of the season - a new record in a season that had already seen him break Giacomo Agostini's all-time wins record in the premier class.

"It's always positive to beat records, especially when the records are yours already," he told Italia 1 television.