Recovering Elias buoyed by podium

The Gresini Honda rider broke his left leg in a practice crash at Assen at the end of June. He missed only two races before returning for the Czech Grand Prix, but the still-healing leg remained painful and he was concerned about his fitness if the hot conditions experienced at Motegi in qualifying had continued in the race.

Ultimately race day saw rain, and Elias' initial battle was with his bike's handling rather than his physical condition. Struggling with his settings on the damp track, Elias fell from fifth on the grid to 10th and then gambled on an early pit stop for dry tyres on lap eight.

"I did a mistake with the set-up of the bike," Elias said.

"I took a wrong decision for the wet, and I quickly lost many positions.

"But finally I decided to change my bike. It was the right decision and we overtook many, many riders."

He eventually reached third place and then resisted pressure from Sylvain Guintoli to hold on to the position and secure his first podium since Istanbul in April.

"Third position is perfect for me after these hard two months," Elias said.