Dovizioso out to fulfil eastern promise

Before crashing out of the Estoril round, the Italian rookie had been chasing the frontrunners in an impressive display. The JiR Team Scot rider also alluded to a big change in his riding style in the post-race test, the exact details of which he has kept under wraps.

`I'm heading to China with a real awareness of my potential. The last race at Estoril finished early for me, but running so near the front confirmed to me the good start to the season we had shown before The Monday after the Estoril test was very important for us and it gave us much-needed crucial data,´ analyses the twice 250cc runner-up.

With one of the fastest stretches of asphalt on the MotoGP calendar to contend with, Dovizioso is looking to make the most of his Honda RC212V´s cornering to make up any deficit. After his sterling start to 2008, the rookie is looking on the bright side as the series arrives in China.

`The Shanghai circuit is quite particular and it is difficult and has plenty of technical points. There are two long straights, but also some fast and slow corners, which I enjoy very much. We are going there with a new bike, so there are plenty of unknowns, but I'm heading east full of optimism!´