Mugello proved to be an up and down weekend for Andrea Dovizioso who was slowed by an old neck injury during practice and arm pump during the race. He has struggled on several occasions to convert his practice pace to race day speed, an issue he will look to resolve in Barcelona. The track will not only test ‘Desmo Dovi’s’ speed, but also the Michelin tyres that will face yet another new track surface. The circuit’s layout is one of Dovizioso’s favourites, its 13 bends providing a huge number of overtaking opportunities. He may enjoy the track a great deal, but Dovizioso’s last podium as the track was back in 2012 when he was third, the result returning him to the Catalan GP podium for the first time since the 2007 250cc race. Could the Italian return to the podium once again in 2016?
Andrea Dovizioso: “In my opinion the Montmelò circuit is one of the best tracks in the world and I am so happy to go there to race. It will be important to see how the Michelin tyres will be on such a difficult track. Anyway the feeling with the Desmosedici GP is very good but we still have to improve in some areas. We are constantly fast in practice but we never seem to be able to fight for the race win.”