where he tried to pass the Japanese rider one lap earlier, the Sachsen Kurve. On lap nine, Tamada retries to take third by using the power of his Konica Minolta Honda and blast pass, only to run slightly wide upon entrance of the Coca-Cola Kurve and having to give back the position to Melandri. At the Sachsen Kurve, Melandri goes up the inside of Pedrosa and takes second, with Rossi doing likewise to Tamada for third. The Japanese tries to fight back at the Queckenberg Kurve (Turn 14), but has to slot in behind Rossi. Lap ten and Rossi runs a bit wide exiting the Queckenberg Kurve, allowing Tamada to blast past the Camel Yamaha rider and take back third place at the start/finish straight. At the Sachsen Kurve, Rossi makes a clean move down the inside of Tamada and retakes third. On lap eleven, Melandri takes over the lead as he passes Hayden at the start/finish straight, entering the Coca-Cola Kurve. Tamada tries to take third place back from Rossi but this time is not able to. Pedrosa then follows suit at Castrol Omega, taking a shorter line and going side by side with Hayden, exiting the corner ahead of him. At the Sachsen Kurve, Rossi then makes his move and passes Hayden for third. Roberts Jr. then tries to pass Tamada for fourth place at the Queckenberg Kurve but takes a line that is too tight, losing the front end and striking an unfortunate Tamada along with him into the gravel. The Japanese rider then grabs his leg, visibly shown in pain. Lap twelve and the lead group now consists out of four riders: Melandri, Pedrosa, Rossi and Hayden. Roberts Jr. is shown kneeling next to him, trying to ask him if he is okay. The retirement of the two riders now moves up Capirossi into fifth and Nakano into sixth position. At the Sachsen Kurve, Rossi passes Pedrosa for second by diving down his inside. On lap thirteen, Capirossi has managed to close the gap and is now right behind Hayden, making it a five-way battle for victory. At the Sachsen Kurve, Rossi overtakes Melandri and takes over the lead by going up his inside. At Turn 9, Melandri makes a small mistake and allows Rossi to pull a slight gap. Lap fifteen and Pedrosa overtakes Melandri as the Italian goes slightly wide and he takes a