Vermeulen relieved to salvage seventh

The Australian, the only Rizla Suzuki rider in the race after teammate Loris Capirossi injured himself in a practice crash, managed to avoid the accident between rivals Valentino Rossi (Fiat Yamaha) and Randy de Puniet (LCR Honda) on the first lap after starting from eighth on the grid.

By lap seven he got up to fourth place before dropping back due to a lack of grip. Three laps before the end Vermeulen managed to claw back one position from the eighth he was in by overtaking Shinya Nakano's Honda Gresini.

"I got a good start and moved into a good position through the first two corners," said Vermeulen, "but I was nearly involved in the crash and had to run wide causing me to almost lose the front.

"The bike worked really well in the beginning part of the race and I had a lot of grip from the Bridgestones. I felt like my pace was better than the guys in front and I could see them and thought I could get up to them, but once I got past and up into fourth the grip went off a bit and it became quite slippery out there.

"Unfortunately I lost a bit of time and dropped back a few positions, but I was still quite strong at the end of the race and managed to get back to seventh.

"Considering the problems we have had this weekend and losing a couple of sessions - one to problems on the first day and another to the rain - it is a decent result and we have managed to salvage something from it.

"Full congratulations to the team they did a great job again, and I'd like to say get well soon to Loris, I hope he is back at Sachsenring so he can give me a run for my money!"

The German Grand Prix will take place in two weeks' time.