Delighted Rossi suffers no ill effects

The world champion was left with a stiff neck after his heavy accident near the end of qualifying yesterday, but was soon passed fit to race by Dr Claudio Costa.

"I have to say thank you to all the Clinica Mobile and Doctor Costa because I felt 100 per cent for the race, so thanks a lot," said Rossi.

The Italian added that he had thoroughly enjoyed his race through the field from his lowly grid slot.

"For me it was a very, very exciting race from the beginning to the end, because I never had one second to relax," Rossi said.

"Unfortunately with my mistake yesterday, starting from the fourth row is very difficult. But I was confident because I knew I had a good pace. Before the crash yesterday I felt confident with the bike."

Rossi admitted he was lucky to avoid all of the first lap accidents, which saw both Dani Pedrosa and Alex de Angelis crash out in separate incidents, and Chris Vermeulen and Sylvain Guintoli taking to the grass in avoidance.

"I had a good start and a big, big battle at the beginning," said Rossi. "De Angelis crashed in front of me, and I missed him by one centimetre, I think."

Much of Rossi's race was spent in a huge battle for third with his factory Yamaha teammate Jorge Lorenzo and Tech 3 Yamaha rider James Toseland, before he escaping from this dice and chased down second-placed Nicky Hayden, who he passed on the final lap.

"I pushed and pushed, and I arrived with Lorenzo and Toseland," he said.

"The battle with Toseland was very, very strong. I lost a little bit of time because James passed me back and I had to stay behind.

"But when I was able to get in front again, I changed my rhythm and I started to push.

"I could see Nicky becoming bigger and bigger. I said 'I'll try, I'll try, maybe it's possible, maybe it's not'. I was not sure. But lap by lap, I arrived with Nicky on the last lap. So I think the second place today is the best result for us."