Valentino Rossi’s comeback to competition following injury offered a highly anxious spectacle by fans, as the reigning World Champion placed fourth after being beaten to a stage spot on the last corner of the race at Sachsenring by Casey Stoner.

With a short 21 lap race due to the red flagging of the original event, the Italian of the Fiat Yamaha squad did not take it easy whilst still healing right leg, he challenged throughout the competition, only to be beaten by Stoner by 0.366s.

The "Doctor" surprised himself with his own abilities, and comments, "I didn't expect this! I thought it was maybe possible to make fourth or fifth place but I thought it would be very difficult. In the end I was fourth but I had a great battle with Casey and I was so close to the podium, so this is a fantastic result after missing four races.”

Rossi was very happy even though he just missed out on what would have been an amazing top three end, he adds, “I need some more kilometres to really recover the feeling and feel completely okay with the bike again, but I think I did a great job and this was a very good comeback, better than we could wish for. I felt a bit of pain in my shoulder but more in the leg when changing direction, but at the end the battle with Casey was such fun that I didn't think about it. Unfortunately though he just got the better of me on the last corner!”

The MotoGP session now arrives to Laguna Seca next weekend, where Rossi came second in last season’s event, he outlines his goals for the Red Bull US Grand Prix.

“Thanks to all my team for helping me come back and be competitive like this, we will try to do even better in Laguna,” he ends.

Davide Brivio, Team Manager for Rossi, states, “One week ago we didn't know if we'd be able to ride here at all and then day by day our targets changed. We would have been happy whatever with a top five today but finally we were really competitive and so close to the podium. It's unbelievable and even more so because we were lapping at the same pace as the leaders. It was very positive; Valentino worked so hard to be here and he made it in style, so now we will continue our plan in Laguna next weekend."