Nine-time world champion Valentino Rossi says the engine failure that put him out of today’s Mugello MotoGP round robbed him of a victory as he believes he was stronger and had more pace than title rival Jorge Lorenzo.

It is the first time Rossi has had a race breakdown since Misano in 2007 and his retirement from the race saw a sea of yellow shirts heading for the exit before the chequered flag had even been taken out of its box.

“Is a great shame. Always a great shame when I have a technical failure in the race but also more because we are in Mugello with a fantastic atmosphere and a lot of fans, and especially as I was very strong all weekend and especially today in the race as I was fast and I think I can fight for the victory I have dreamed about for nearly 10 years,” said Rossi, speaking at the track.

“I was behind Lorenzo, I think I had a little bit better pace compared than him and for sure I could attack him and make my race. But the engine broke and I think it was the same problem as Lorenzo. Is a great shame also for the championship as I take the zero and the distance is 37 points - a big gap. The positive is that I was very fast in the race and ready for the victory. This year I am faster, more competitive and I am stronger.

“I think there was something wrong in both engines but the difference is his was wrong in warm-up. We have to take positive from the weekend.”