Melandri: Vermeulen was unbeatable

The Gresini Honda rider initially closed on Suzuki's Vermeulen after the field changed to wet tyres, but as the weather worsened, Vermeulen was able to pull out a 13-second advantage.

"At the start I lost a bit of time with Hopkins, then I went to catch up to Vermeulen," Melandri told Italia1 television.

"I thought I could pass him, but with the rain coming down harder and harder it was too tough: I lacked the confidence needed to hit my knee on the ground.

"Engine braking wasn't working properly: I was sliding too much under braking.

"Today Vermeulen was uncatchable, so congratulations to him and his team."

Melandri said that once he realised he could not challenge Vermeulen, he decided not to risk his first podium of 2007 - a result that moves him up to fourth in the championship, a point behind Dani Pedrosa.

"I didn't want to take risks, so I thought the others were too far back and I would be satisfied with second place," he said. "I had to think about the championship.

"I want to thank the team because they've done a fine job. They found a great set-up without having every tried it in the wet.

"This is a podium I needed, after such a difficult start to the season."