Dovizioso wins Simoncelli charity Supermoto race

Andrea Dovizioso's neck problems couldn't prevent the Italian and team-mate Mauno Hermunen from winning Sunday's charity Supermoto event, in aid of the Marco Simoncelli Foundation.

Dovizioso was forced to sit out Ducati's three day test at Jerez last week due to a neck strain, but suffered far less with the lower speeds and upright riding position in Supermoto.

Wet conditions at the new Latina circuit in Italy, where the inaugural Sic Supermoto Day was held, also played into his hands. The event paired one road race star with one Supermoto ace, with many of Italy's leading riders supporting the event.

While most attention was focussed on Valentino Rossi and Max Biaggi, it was Dovizioso and Hermunen that won the 58 lap race - Simoncelli's race number. Matt Winstanly and Christian Iddon finished a close second, with Valentino Rossi and Thierry Van Den Bosch third.

Four time 250GP and reigning double World Superbike champion Max Biaggi - who recently announced his retirement from racing - finished in eighth place alongside Adrien Chareyre, the pair finding the v-twin Aprilia tougher to handle in the wet than the single cylinders.

More than 5,000 fans attended the two day event, with over 90,000 Euros raised for the Simoncelli Foundation. Marco's father Paolo was present to hand out the trophies.

Dovizioso will undergo surgery this week to have a plate removed from his collarbone, inserted following last January's motocross accident. The surgery is unrelated to his neck issues, the exact cause of which is not yet known.