Lorenzo concedes world title is Rossi's

He is now 50 points behind championship leader Valentino Rossi with six races left, and says he will now concentrate on making sure he finishes second.

"Unless strange things happen, everything is lost," Lorenzo told Gazzetta dello Sport. "I must avoid thinking of the championship and just work to improve race after race. The situation is too complicated.

"I have to fight against the best ever rider, and on top of that I struggled with setting up the bike and I also felt physically tired. But I'm not looking for excuses, these things happen when you're on the limit.

"Valentino is the best, and the championship is in his hands. Now I only think about finishing second."

Rossi believes Lorenzo was too desperate to beat him in the Czech Republic, but understands the 22-year-old's desire to challenge him.

"For sure Lorenzo was a bit too anxious to beat me," Rossi told Gazzetta dello Sport. "I mean a lot to the other riders, I've been at the top for a long time and beating me would mean taking the number one crown off my head.

"When I ride I have a clear vision of what's happening, that's always been one of my strengths. With my form, and Yamaha's form at the moment, it's difficult to be quicker than me. At best you can be as quick as me."