Remarkable comeback for Rossi

Valentino Rossi just missed out on a remarkable podium finish on his return from a broken leg as Dani Pedrosa breathed life back into the MotoGP title race with victory in the German Grand Prix at the Sachsenring.

A fourth-placed finish capped an amazing comeback weekend from Rossi, who had qualified fifth, exactly six weeks after suffering a compound fracture of his right shin in an horrific highside in Italian Grand Prix practice at Mugello.

The 31-year-old, who has only been able to walk around the paddock with the aid of a crutch, could not quite match the pace of title contenders Pedrosa and Jorge Lorenzo, but the Fiat Yamaha rider was more than a match for the rest of the field, enjoying a superb battle with old foe Casey Stoner during the closing laps.

For Repsol Honda rider Pedrosa the win ends Lorenzo's run of three straight victories and sees him close his Spanish compatriot's lead at the top of the standings to 47 points.