Following on from the British GP at Silverstone, which propelled Andrea Dovizioso to the top of the points table for the second time this season, the Ducati Team is now back in Italy for the thirteenth round of the 2017 MotoGP World Championship. The Gran Premio di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini takes place this weekend at the Misano World Circuit, the Adriatic Riviera track located just down the motorway from Ducati headquarters at Borgo Panigale.
 
Andrea Dovizioso, fresh off the back of a splendid race in the UK where he scored his fourth win of the season, is currently the most successful rider in this hard-fought edition of the MotoGP championship. In front of the support of his home crowd and the numerous fans in the Ducati Grandstand, the Italian appears more determined than ever to continue his winning streak. Positive signs of an upsurge are also evident with his team-mate Jorge Lorenzo. In England the Spanish rider scored a good fifth place, finishing just 3.5 seconds behind Dovizioso, the closest he has ever been behind the winner in this season’s races. Misano will also see the presence of Michele Pirro, entered as a wild-card with a third Desmosedici GP of the Ducati Test Team. The Italian, who on the domestic front is one step away from being crowned Italian Superbike Champion, will take to the track for the second time in MotoGP this season, after the race at Mugello.
 
Despite it being his home race, Dovizioso has never been able to step onto the Misano podium in his nine MotoGP races here. Since 2008 his best result was a fourth place, which he obtained four times, in 2009, 2010, 2012 and 2014. Jorge Lorenzo on the other hand has a truly extraordinary record at Misano, the Spanish rider qualifying nine times on the front row, with three poles in the last three years, and scoring three wins and four second places. Michele Pirro’s best result is a seventh place, which he scored last year after qualifying in fifth place.
 
The Misano weekend programme gets underway on Friday morning with the first free practice session at 9.55 am, while the 28-lap race is scheduled for Sunday afternoon at 14.00.  

Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team #04) – 1st (183 points)

“Coming to Misano as leader of the championship is fantastic, even though I’m really sorry that Rossi will not be there, as it would have been great to also battle against him. In the past the Misano circuit hasn’t been too favourable for Ducati, but a couple of weeks back we did a very positive test at this circuit ma and we are on good form, and so we’ll be trying to take home the best possible result.”

Jorge Lorenzo (Ducati Team #99) – 7th (90 points)

“The Silverstone race had many positive aspects. I finished the closest I’ve ever been from the winner this season and Andrea won and became leader of the championship, so the atmosphere in the team is very good. The aim at Misano will be to confirm the upswing we’ve shown in the last few races, where I’ve accumulated more experience and confidence with the bike. The test we did here was very positive and will be useful in order to have a good starting base right from the first day. In addition Misano is one of my favourite circuits, I’ve won here several times in MotoGP and I’m convinced we can get a good result. For sure the Ducati fans will give us an extra gear with their support from the grandstand and I can’t wait to race for the first time with Ducati at Misano.”

Michele Pirro (Ducati Team #51) – 23rd (7 points)

“Ducati arrives at Misano in the lead of the world championship table with Dovizioso and I’ll be doing my part as well, with the aim of giving the best of myself and getting in amongst the top guys. It’s an extraordinary moment for us and we have to stay focused and determined in order to manage all the race situations with a clear head. We’ve got a lot of potential and we must capitalize on this to the full!”