Melandri frustrated by wet race rules

The Italian was the best-placed of the group who battled for the lead early in the race, but finished behind four riders who had made early bike swaps as the track dried.

Melandri waited until lap 13 before pitting - four laps after eventual winner Loris Capirossi had changed to his slick-shod bike.

The riders on slicks had lapped significantly faster than the wet-shod leaders during that period, but Melandri believes the modern 'flag to flag' rule automatically hampers the frontrunners in changeable conditions.

"When the track started to dry it was really difficult for me because I was leading the race and it was hard to judge the right moment to come and change the bike because there were still some wet patches," he said.

"When they told me from pit wall to come in I did so but it was a few laps too late to come in. It took me a couple of laps to get used to the bike with the dry setting and I made a mistake that cost me a few places.

"I'm disappointed because I could have fought for the win today. Unfortunately the flag to flag rule puts the race leaders at a disadvantage."

Prior to 2005, races were red-flagged when conditions changed so that the whole field could switch to appropriate tyres, but under the current regulations the riders make their own choice of when to pit and switch to bikes fitted with alternative rubber.

The only consolation for Melandri was that Suzuki pair John Hopkins and Chris Vermeulen struggled to 10th and 11th, allowing the Italian to gain ground in the standings.

"The positive thing is that I've closed the gap to fifth and fourth in the championship, with Vermeulen now four points ahead of me and Hopkins eight," Melandri said.