Rossi upbeat despite fall in wet practice

The champion only completed eight laps during heavy rain this morning and lost time in the afternoon session when he dropped his Yamaha at the final corner and slid into the gravel.

He returned to the track later in the session on his second bike and finished the day in fourth place, three tenths off the quickest time - set by Honda's Nicky Hayden.

"Today was difficult because this track is quite bad when it's wet and cold like this," said Rossi. "This morning I went out just when it started to get really heavy so I wasn't able to do any good laps, but this afternoon was better. I felt good and I was quite fast so I think we have good potential if the conditions are like this again.

"Unforunately I had a small crash when I made a mistake and lost the rear, but I wasn't hurt at all and I could go back out and continue work. We were fourth finally and I am quite happy, although we can be faster. Now we have to wait and see the weather for tomorrow."