Valentino Rossi's challenge for a big MotoGP points haul at Assen was brought to a halt early in today's 26 lapper after chatter caused him big problems and then his rear Bridgestone began to fall apart, forcing him to pit for a new one.

Rossi looked set to benefit from crashes that saw Jorge Lorenzo, Alvaro Bautista and Stefan Bradl all go out with only two laps on the board but with 10 laps to go, The Doctor rolled down pitlane for a new hoop, re-joining dead last but managing to pass James Ellison on the last corner for 13th.

"It is a pity for today because with the mistakes of some guys in front we can arrive to the end with a better position and take some points for the championship. I did a very good start and was where I had to be. Also arrive Nicky, but I can fight with him and at the end of the race try to arrive in front but unfortunately we have a problem with the rear tyre and from the beginning I have a lot of chattering compared to yesterday and very early in the race, a little bit after half, so is a pity," said Rossi, speaking to bikesportnews.com this evening.

"Now we have to understand why because we don't do any modify of the setting, we decide to use the other tyre because the temperature was going up but other riders have similar problem but not like me. I lose a big, big part of the tyre and is dangerous."