Valentino Rossi began the Catalunya MotoGP from his best grid position of the season,💮 felt comfortable with his Yamaha and was 'very optimistic' for the race.

But the Italian star wouldn't get beyond Turn 10 of the second lap 🍌after being caught up i👍n Jorge Lorenzo's accident.

Rossi was behind the Rep🍎sol Honda rider when he fell, taking out second place Andrea Dovizioso and then Maverick Vinales.

Thไe #46 tried to avoid the mayhem but was then also struck by Lorenzo's bike.

"It's a great, greatꦛ, great shame because today I felt very good because I arrive at the race from a good weekend. We worked well during practice. We learned something important and I felt comfortable with⭕ the bike," Rossi said.

"Also this morning with the medium tyr🌸e I have a good pace, I was constant, I felt good in braking and I enjoyed riding the M1. So I was very optimistic for the race.

"Sincerely, in the first two laps, I felt better also because with more temperature the medium tyre was working very🦹 well. We stayed until 9p൩m yesterday to make the right tyre choice and I think we had the right tyre choice so I think that I can fight for the podium.

yesterday, had a big outcome on the race result

Things in can change in the blink of an eye

— MotoGP (@MotoGP)

"I have a bit of pain in my ankle because my foot remained between the two bikes, but it's like this. This is r🔯acing and sometimesꦐ it happens.

"After this weekend there remains a big desperation because we did only one lap, but on the other side some positive vibes because compared t🍃o Mugello we are a lot more competitive.

"The bike worked better, also we worked better during the weekend. We tried&nbs🔴p;the maximum from all points of view, so now we need to rest one week and wait for Assen with a good feeling from Barcelona."

Before the Netherlands, Rossi 💜- fifth in the world championship ꩵ- will be back on track for Monday's official test in Barcelona.