Rossi optimistic despite tyres fading

The former champion made a controversial switch from Michelin to Bridgestone at the end of 2007, while the other Yamaha riders - including his Estoril-winning teammate Jorge Lorenzo - stayed with Michelin.

Rossi led the first half of today's race, but could not match Lorenzo and Honda rider Dani Pedrosa later on.

"I started quick, at the beginning I had good grip. I tried to save the tyre but I knew it would have been tough to get to the end," Rossi told Italia1 television. "They had a 1:38 pace and I didn't. I couldn't do it, so it's a fair result.

"We were OK today with the bike's set-up. We still need to improve a bit to adapt our bike to the Bridgestones.

"When we got here the Bridgestone engineer told us this would be the worst race for our tyres. Yet I finished third, so let's hope we can do better in the future."

He remains optimistic about the rest of the season.

"We are working and it needs time," Rossi said. "I'm quite happy, this is the second consecutive podium. We knew this was a very tough race for us.

"Let's just say that we weren't in good shape in the first race, and then we had two tracks where we knew we'd have to suffer. But we are close, we got two podiums, and the season is long."

The Italian believes Bridgestone will be in much better shape in next month's Chinese GP.

"Shanghai is a track where we can do well. I expect (Casey) Stoner to get back to the front there. Let's hope we'll be with him fighting at the front."