Valentino Rossi said that his ‘first mistake of the season’ cost him dearly, with the Italian crashing out of the Malaysian MotoGP at Sepang whilst leading with just five laps remaining.

Rossi got a perfect start and led from the first corner until his mistake, which saw him crash out of the lead. Rossi did remount but came home in a non-point scoring position.

The Italian said he was ‘devastated’ after crashing out of the lead, as his long wait for a victory rolls on.

“It’s a mixed feeling,” said the 39-year-old.

“On one side, I’m very happy for the race because it’s the best race of the season for me and also it was coming in difficult conditions at a difficult track for us.

“This is very important. On the other side it’s a great, great shame. I’m very disappointed for the mistake. If we are able to be strong also there, it’s positive.

“We have to say it’s my first mistake of the season because I arrived always at the end except in Argentina. But maybe it’s the worst moment.

“Like you said, I’m devastated for the crash. But I’m also happy because anyway we lived the dream for 15 laps. After the victory of my brother also, it can be a great, great day. But it’s like this.”

When asked about the crash, Rossi said that he wasn’t entirely sure what happened and that he needed to check the data, whilst admitting he thinks he could’ve fought with Marquez.

“I don’t know, we have to check,” he said.

“I push for sure, I pushed for 15 laps the same and when I touched the throttle the rear slide and I didn’t expect it.

“I’m more worried about the front and I was more on the edge. The rear slides a bit too much and the bike goes down.

“I wanted to try to push a lot to the end because anyway there were five laps to go. I wanted to try so Marquez arrived as late as possible. I understand that he arrived because he gained a little bit.

“I think that it’s a great shame for everybody the crash, because it can be funny. I was quite strong and I can fight. But there was not a particular strategy.”