Melandri frustrated by poor dry pace

The Italian had struggled for speed throughout the dry practice sessions, but managed to qualify on row two in the rain-hit qualifying hour on Friday.

But his handling problems continued in the dry race, and he was unable to stay with the leaders.

"I got a good start but the problems we had in practice on dry conditions returned and I couldn't ride as I wanted," Melandri said.

"I had so much chattering and it was really hard for me. I gave it my best shot but the end result is disappointing."

Gresini's weekend had begun badly when Melandri's teammate Toni Elias sustained a broken leg in a crash in first practice.

"It's been a really difficult weekend for us - firstly because of the injury to Toni, who I would like to personally wish a speedy recovery," said team manager Fausto Gresini.

"He received good treatment to the injury here in Holland and went back to Spain this morning.

"It was tough for Marco, who rode really well in the wet but struggled in the dry during practice and warm-up.

"The result reflects the problems we had throughout practice."