After a much-delayed start to the MotoGP 2020 season, the MotoGP Spanish Grand Prix finally took place this weekend and saw Andrea Dovizioso take third on his Ducati. The race was won by Fabio Quartararo on his Yamaha, with Maverick Viales taking second also on a Yamaha.
Temperatures at the track were exceedingly high over the weekend, testing both riders and their machines.
Having qualified on the third row of the grid, Dovizioso climbed to fifth in the opening laps of the race and then up to fourth by the closing stages, fending off attacks from both Morbidelli and Pol Espargaro. Dovizioso then managed to close the gap on Jack Miller and, with just two laps to go, he slipped past the Australian rider of the Pramac Racing Team to take third spot on the podium.
This is Dovizioso’s best result to date in the premier class at the Jerez Circuit, while for Ducati it is the fifth third place they have achieved at the Spanish circuit.
Teammate Danilo Petrucci had a challenging weekend, having suffered some neck and back pain following his crash on Wednesday but managed a top ten finish crossing the finish line in ninth.
After the opening race of the 2020 MotoGP season, Ducati currently stands in second position in the Manufacturers’ Standings, while the Ducati Team is second in the Team Standings.
Following his podium finish at the MotoGP Spanish Grand Prix, Dovizioso commented: “This podium is like a victory for me. It was a challenging race, and I didn’t think I could get this result, but luckily I didn’t give up until the end and managed not to make any mistakes. In this morning’s Warm-Up, the team did a great job, as they improved my feeling with the Desmosedici GP, giving me the chance to be constant today in the race. Unfortunately, I still didn’t feel completely comfortable on the bike and, above all, I lacked speed. Surely, thanks to the feedback of this race, we will be able to be more competitive in the next GP, which will be held again here in Jerez”.
Teammate Danilo Petrucci said: “It was a tough race for me. In addition to the neck pain, I am suffering some stomach issues probably due to the painkillers I’ve been taking these days, and today I wasn’t in the condition to do more. In the race, I tried to hold on and managed to finish into the top ten. Hopefully, I can recover and be 100% fit for next week. I am confident to have the potential to stay with the other Ducati bikes and fight for the top five positions”.
Round 2 will take place next weekend 24th to 26th July, once again at Circuito de Jerez for the Andalusian Grand Prix.
Author Bio:
Simon Burrell is Editor of Our Man Behind The Wheel, a member of The Guild of Motoring Writers, professional photographer and former saloon car racing driver.
Photographs courtesy of Ducati
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