A high-side and smashed fairing on the first lap of today's MotoGP race at Misano didn't stop Rizla Suzuki's Chris Vermeulen taking a fifth place.

Vermeulen, who is expected to sign for and remain with the team in 2009, underestimated how warm his tyre was going through the second turn and was nearly chucked off the GSV-R.

"Even though I got pushed a bit wide in the first turn, I still thought I’d hold on to my position but as I entered turn two the rear tyre was just not warm enough and I had a big slide," said the Aussie.

"I thought it was all over then, but luckily I landed back on the bike and although I smashed the fairing with my leg no harm was done! I didn’t quite have the pace that I have had this weekend which was probably due to the higher temperatures, and we certainly slid around a bit more today! This is the first time we have raced with the new chassis and with the new construction front tyre that Bridgestone brought here for us, so with all things considered - and from where I ended the first lap - I think we had a good race."

Team-mate Loris Capirossi celebrated his 277th GP start at Misano and was narrowly beaten by James Toseland for sixth place.