Dovizioso ‘aiming to stay within the group’ at second Misano race

After making his MotoGP comeback at Misano a month ago, Petronas Yamaha rider Andrea Dovizioso gets a second bite at the cherry around the World Marco Simoncelli Circuit this weekend. 

The Italian finished last during his first race back, however, an impressive showing at the American Grand Prix two weeks ago saw Dovizioso finish 13th - two places ahead of team-mate Valentino Rossi. 

It’s also a result that extended his points scoring streak to four races around the Austin-based track. 

But despite ‘huge’ performance gains since that above-mentioned Misano race, Dovizioso believes a top ten result this weekend will be ‘very hard’.   

"I think it will be very hard to be competitive enough to make it into the top ten, but the improvements we have made since the first Misano race are huge," said Dovizioso.  

"I’m really happy about that. After a good experience at that race and also in America, I’m looking forward to going back to Misano. 

"This weekend will be a good opportunity to compare the bike and where we are now to where we were one month ago at the same circuit, although the conditions might be different. 

"I think this will help me to be faster and I’m aiming to stay within the group. I’m really looking forward to being more competitive and fighting with the other riders."

The Emilia-Romagna MotoGP is the first of three European rounds to end the year - Portimao and Valencia to follow, before Dovizioso gets the all-new 2022 M1 Yamaha package for next season.