Honda riders frustrated by crashes

Pedrosa started the race on the front row and briefly led before dropping behind Casey Stoner and eventual winner Valentino Rossi. He was racing for a podium when he crashed out of the race on lap four.

"The good news is that I didn't hurt myself in the fall and, considering my recent run of luck with injuries, this is a big relief," said Pedrosa, who is still recovering from leg and knee injuries.

"But of course I'm disappointed with the result today because, even though it's unlikely I could have won the race, I was feeling strong on the bike again and believe I could have made the podium.

"My feeling on the machine this weekend has been much better and I have been able to ride close to my maximum potential, so I was quite confident coming into this race.

"I made a fast start and found a good rhythm, so the crash was very unexpected - for the whole weekend I had no warning this might happen."

Pedrosa remains positive despite the crash and believes the HRC team, which has now gone 12 months without a victory, is on the cusp of a breakthrough in form.

"We have to forget this race and remain positive and focused because we have been the best in the past and I believe we can be the best again," he said.

"The whole team deserves better than this and I know we will work even harder to take the fight to our rivals, even though they are very strong.

"Laguna is the next race and we will go there with the same positive mood that we brought to Assen this weekend."

Dovizioso was chasing Stoner for third position when he fell at the same place as his team-mate within a couple of laps.

"I had a good start but I was trapped by a bunch of riders and it took me a few laps to get by them," he said. "Once I was past I was feeling quite comfortable, although I wasn't sure I could catch Stoner.

"Then, while I was in the middle of the corner at the maximum lean I lost the front. I wasn't on the brakes when it happened - we have to lean a long way over in the middle of the turn and that's when it caught me out."