Monster Energy factory Yamaha rider Valentino Rossi was deflated after one of his worst weekends in MotoGP, after he crashed out from last place at his home Grand Prix in Mugello.

The Italian qualified down in eighteenth and after making modest progress early in the game, Rossi touched Joan Mir, forcing both riders into the gravel. Rossi continued running. Whilst attempting to close up to the field, he lost the front end of his Yamaha M1 at the fast uphill Arrabbiata 2, crashing out from last place.

“It was a very difficult weekend, one of the worst for a long time,” said the 40-year-old.

“We weren’t ever fast. We arrive here knowing that it is difficult, but we expect to be strong here in Mugello. But unfortunately was not like this and in all the practice, I was not so fast.

"In the race, starting from behind is always difficult. My pace was not fantastic and I lose everything when I have contact with Mir. I tried to overtake but we touched and we go out.

“After I also crash in Arrabbiata 2 but anyway was very difficult. I was not fast, so in general a very difficult weekend.

“We are quite slow and looks like we struggle especially in the race when we have to ride with other bikes. We are not fast in the straight but also in acceleration so a race like this is very difficult. We have to try to do something."

When asked what the biggest issue with his M1 is, Rossi said: “It’s not that we seek a miracle. We try to work where we work, like electronics and acceleration.

“After the Jerez tests we tried some things, taking to the other tracks. That fact is that in the weekend you focus only on what you have available. Maybe speed gains, but then you lose in other sectors.”