Our chief rivals were very quick at Mugello test - Dovi

Andrea Dovizioso has brushed off the significance of Ducati’s key rivals demonstrating impressive pace at the recent Mugello test and is certain his team can fight for victory at his home round.

The Italian rider is eager to reignite his 2018 MotoGP campaign after crashing out of the past two rounds at Jerez and Le Mans having produced the perfect start with victory in Qatar.

Fresh from confirming his Ducati future at the French round, Dovizioso is relishing the chance to repeat his victory feat at Mugello from 12 months ago – a win which kick-started his world title challenge against Marc Marquez last year.

Reports from the private MotoGP test at the Italian circuit, held the week before the French round, pointed to Marquez producing lap record pace at Mugello before rain set in to curtail any further fast laps. No official lap times were released by the teams but Dovizioso has hinted at his "chief rivals'" pace looking towards the race weekend.

“It’s difficult to make any predictions for the Italian GP, because this year every race is different,” Dovizioso said. “Even though our chief rivals were very quick in the test a couple of weeks back, we have shown that we are always fast in the race and for sure we will be competitive at Mugello.

“Last year Petrucci and I made all the difference in staying up at the front and I’m very confident because this year we have shown that we are fast on almost every track.”

Dovizioso is also keen to downplay the impact of consecutive DNFs at the past two rounds and is focusing on striking back in Italy. The 32-year-old already trails Marquez by 49 points in the riders’ championship after the opening five rounds.

“It’s a pity about all the points we’ve lost in the last two races,” he said. “But it’s best not to think about it because there is still a long way to go in the championship.”