Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) has high expectations coming into the Monster Energy Czech Republic Grand Prix as he and the Bologna factory aim to reel in the leading Yamahas of Fabio Quartararo (Petronas Yamaha SRT) and Maverick Viñales (Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP) in the Championship.
Dovizioso was able to earn a podium finish at the Spanish Grand Prix on a track that doesn’t typically suit the Ducati’s characteristics. And the Circuito de Jerez-Angel Nieto is also a track the Italian hasn’t got on well with in the past, his P3 a few Sunday’s ago his first premier class rostrum in Andalucia. Coming out the opening two rounds, Dovizioso lies third in the Championship standings – 14 points adrift of Viñales and 24 off Quartararo.
But the upcoming three races are pretty much in perfect territory for Dovizioso and Ducati. Dovizioso has six rostrums in Brno, coming second in 2019 and winning the 2018 race. And a double-header at the Red Bull Ring is Ducati’s land through and through – they’ve never lost there, with Dovi claiming two wins. So how is the number 04 feeling ahead of the triple-header?
"It was good to have a week off to rest, before three consecutive race weekends that will be very challenging for everyone,” began the Italian. “Brno is a track that will allow us to take advantage of the strengths of our Desmosedici GP bike, but this won't be enough because we will have to start strong immediately since Friday's free practices.
“In Jerez we worked well, improving day by day and now we have to consolidate what we have learned so far in the next three races. It should also not be as hot as in the two Jerez GPs, and I think that too will be on our side. I have high expectations from this GP.”
Catch Dovizioso and the rest of the MotoGP™ riders in action when FP1 gets underway at 09:55 local time (GMT+2) on Friday morning!