Rossi needs time to reach 'maximum'

The Italian, who broke his leg in a Mugello in May, and dislocated his shoulder in a training accident prior to that, returned at the Sachsenring but until last weekend had been using his Yamaha team-mate Jorge Lorenzo's set up.

But while Rossi's physical condition prevented him from competing for the win, he was delighted to have rediscovered his speed having switched back to his own settings.

"For me it was positive race because at one point I was making the same lap times as Lorenzo and [Ben] Spies," he said. "So it was a good weekend because we worked very well on the bike and we came back to our style with the bike.

"The balance and electronics started to work our way. For this I am so happy because I never was as fast as the other Yamaha guy in Brno and Laguna Seca, but now I just need more [physical] power and preparation because I don't have the 28 laps. I suffered a lot. I need time to come back at my maximum."

He added: "Let's not forget that according to initial predictions I wasn't supposed to come back before Misano. I'm very happy with having sped up the recovery, but these difficulties are absolutely normal. During these months I haven't been able to train as usual, because I had to do specific exercises to make the leg and shoulder recover, so I don't have the adequate preparation: I need to regain stamina."

Rossi said that he expected to face similar fitness issues at Misano this weekend.

"For me it is worse than Indianpolis physically, but it is better for our bike because Yamaha is struggling a bit. In Misano we were very fast in the last two years. Unfortunately I don't have to improve my physical condition.

"But Misano is another atmosphere, I like the track and I am very happy with the direction of the bike.

"I'm capable of riding and my team is capable of working, and the upcoming tracks have always been good to me. The next seven races will be important to get back to my level and to prepare in the best way for 2011."