Melandri pleased despite fading

The Honda Gresini rider qualified third and maintained that position until the 21st lap of the 30-lap race, when his Bridgestone tyres worn out and forced him to allow other riders through.

"It was a positive race for me, because to finish sixth today beats finishing tenth in races in which I could actually fight until the end," Melandri told TV channel Italia1.

"I started well. I was struggling a bit with the full tank, but I was pretty happy. I lost a bit from Casey (Stoner on Marlboro Ducati) but I wanted to maintain my pace to see if I could attack him after mid race, because once the tank gets lighter it gets easier for me.

"I saw Loris (Capirossi on Ducati) was close to me, sometimes he would gain and sometimes I would, but I was calm. I just wanted to wait until the end of the race, because I still had something in store.

"My tyre wore out a bit fairly soon, while Stoner's wore out all of a sudden. When I caught back with him mine wore out completely too and Loris overtook us and went away.

"For myself, Casey, and (Rizla Suzuki's John) Hopkins it was like a different race, because we were just really strolling along. We didn't expect such a problem."

Melandri reiterated that the new parts Honda provided him with have made riding his bike enjoyable again.

"I like the bike and I can ride it," he said. "The most obvious thing that changed is the exhaust. Besides that also an electronic system of engine management changed.

"Now the engine is definitely softer, I can open the gas when I like, the bike is manageable. When I close the gas the bike is again softer, it was very nervous before, with the rear tyre lifting. I couldn't ride it well.

"Now I'm enjoying myself. Perhaps people will think I've now regained the right psychological situation. Clearly when the bike goes well you enjoy yourself and do OK. When the bike doesn't go well you get upset and you don't do OK."

While Melandri admitted the Sachsenring track was well suited to his bike, he also reckoned the machinery at his disposal has improved, and that it should be good for next weekend's United States Grand Prix at Laguna Seca.

"This track suits our characteristics because there's not much of a straight, there are few long braking zones, and there's a lot of riding to do," he explained. "Our bike has always handled well, even when it wasn't working well we knew it had good handling.

"I think Laguna will be a good track for us. Final proof on our bike capabilities will probably at Brno, but this doesn't mean we aren't improving.

"As far as I'm concerned I think our bike has definitely improved. I'm very happy with it despite the problem we've had with the tyres today."