For the second time this season, circumstances beyond Valentino Rossi’s control ended his chances of a podium finish – and dealt his championship hopes a further blow.

The Italian’s Spanish Grand Prix chances effectively ended when he was hit from behind at turn one, but no other rider was involved in his costly retirement from Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix – a front tyre failure ending the world champion’s charge from 13th on the grid.

Rossi’s climb up the order was unexpectedly slow during the opening laps – the Italian rising to tenth at the end of lap one, but then staying there for the next three laps. The reason was that he was stuck behind a certain Marco Melandri during that time and wasn’t impressed with some of his countryman’s “strong” moves.

“I didn’t get a bad start to the race and I passed a lot of riders but I had a battle with Marco Melandri that cost me some time. Some of his moves were quite strong, which I could understand if we were fighting for the win on the last lap but not for ninth place at that stage of the race,” said Valentino.