Special praise deserved for Dovizioso

Andrea Dovizioso enjoyed a sparkling first appearance in the MotoGP class this weekend at the Commercialbank Grand Prix of Qatar, doing his JiR Team Scot employers proud with an exciting run to fourth place under the floodlights at the desert circuit of Losail.

While Casey Stoner was dominant after making his way to the front from fourth on the gird, Jorge Lorenzo had a stunning MotoGP debut in finishing second from pole and Dani Pedrosa rode brilliantly and bravely from eighth on the grid, Dovizioso's performance in his own maiden premier class Grand Prix race deserves special praise.

Starting from the back of the third row, the former 125cc World Champion battled brilliantly during the race, eventually overcoming fellow debutant James Toseland and five-time MotoGP title winner Valentino Rossi in the final stages to become the first satellite rider and the first Italian across the finishing line.

JiR Team Scot manager Cirano Mularoni congratulated his 21 year-old rider, commenting: "It was marvellous to see Andrea race tonight. We struggled a little in qualifying, which didn't produce the result we expected, but looking forward to the race we knew we could be up there with the main protagonists."

"In warm up we evaluated new configurations and chose a front tyre which allowed Andrea to show his talent in a race with a lot of determination in a sporting, but aggressive way, but without Andrea trying to be too over aggressive!"

Dovizioso himself stated: "I'm very emotional about this first race result. I never thought I would be so quick to finish so near the front and also be the first Italian rider home, which is great! I never really thought of the podium, as I seemed to start off not so good on the grid. Immediately after the start I pushed hard and tried to concentrate on the job in front, I was aiming at the train of riders just in front of me."

"I want to thank the team for the fantastic job that they did over the weekend. We struggled a little in qualifying, but came out in a very good way when it was time for the race. We have shown that we are ready to do well in MotoGP with Honda and I look forward to the next race."