Rossi "devastated" to end victory bid with crash

Rossi took the lead at the start of the Sepang race and led for 16 laps before he crashed at Turn 1 as he started to come under pressure from Marc Marquez.

If he had held on to win, it would have been Rossi's first victory in 28 races as he last won at Assen in 2017.

It marks only the second time Rossi has failed to score points this year, following his controversial clash with Marquez in Argentina that left him down in 19th.

"We have to say that is my first mistake of the season because I arrive always at the end, except in Argentina," said Rossi. "Maybe is the worst moment [for the mistake], I am devastated for the crash.

"On the other side I am also happy because anyway we live the dream for 15 laps, and after the victory of my brother [Luca Marini in Moto2] also could've been a great day, but it's like this.

"For one side I am very happy for the race because is the best race of the season for me and is also coming in difficult condition and in a difficult track for us. This is very important.

"On the other side is a great shame, I am very disappointed for the mistake and make a race like this and go home with zero point is frustrating."

Rossi was unable to give an explanation for his crash, but said it was induced by the rear, not the front, tyre sliding.

"I don't know, we have to check," he said. "I push for sure but I push for 15 laps the same.

"When I touch the throttle, slide the rear and I don't expect sincerely because usually I am more worried about the front. I was a lot on the edge, the rear slide a bit much and the bike go down."

By failing to score Rossi also lost the fight to runner-up to Ducati drider Andrea Dovizioso, and is only two points ahead of teammate Maverick Vinales heading into the Valencia finale.

"Today the result can be very important also for the championship," he said. "If I don't win and I arrive second, I close the third place with Maverick also I can be five points from Dovi for second.

"Now we have to fight Maverick in Valencia for third place."

Rossi's performance in the race was praised by Jorge Lorenzo on Twitter, the Spaniard highlighting Rossi's consistency in one of the toughest tracks in the calendar.

"I have to say thanks to Jorge, thanks a lot," Rossi responded. "Is great I am happy, is good, thanks to Jorge.

"I had good pace, I feel good with the bike in braking and everywhere so I can stay constant and like Jorge said, this track is the hottest and one of the most difficult also physically so this is positive."

Additional reporting by Oriol Puigdemont