Dovizioso draws positives from Estoril

Although with the success of Jorge Lorenzo in 2008 it would perhaps be easy to overlook the efforts of Andrea Dovizioso thus far in his MotoGP career, the Italian has nonetheless turned many heads in the World Championship with his performances at the opening three rounds of the year.

Although with the success of Jorge Lorenzo in 2008 it would perhaps be easy to overlook the efforts of Andrea Dovizioso thus far in his MotoGP career, the Italian has nonetheless turned many heads in the World Championship with his performances at the opening three rounds of the year.

The JiR Team Scot rider first drew serious attention for his battle with Valentino Rossi in Qatar, where he ousted his fellow Italian for fourth place. Dovizioso was back amongst the frontrunners once more in Estoril, albeit only up until the midway stage of the race before a crash cut short his efforts.

`I´m happy with the latest race, because I stayed with the fastest riders,´ said the former 250cc runner-up.

`OK, it was only for 13 laps, but I learnt many things and in the post-race test I can work on some aspects of my riding. Watching Valentino, (Dani) Pedrosa and (Jorge) Lorenzo I saw something that I want to use to change my style a little bit.´

`The crash was only because I was pushing at the very maximum, entering the corner so very hard and so I lost grip at the front. Even if there were a lot of drops of rain around this didn't alter our performance. With my performance I don't think I can blame myself, these things happen.´