Andrea Dovizioso finished the Australian Grand Prix, which was held today at the Phillip Island circuit, in seventh place. The Ducati Team’s Italian rider, who was starting from row 4 following this morning’s Q2 session in which he finished in tenth position, ran an intelligent race as he moved up to the group fighting for fourth, but at the start of the final lap, after passing Miller at the end of the straight, he went wide at Turn 2 and dropped down four positions to finish the race in seventh place. With nine points scored today, Dovizioso is confirmed as runner-up in the Riders’ standings for the third year in a row.

It was an unfortunate race for Danilo Petrucci, who started from row 2 thanks to a fifth place he obtained this morning in Q2. The Ducati Team’s other Italian rider was the victim of a high-side at Turn 2 at the start of the opening lap, also hitting the bike of Quartararo, and he ended his race in the run-off area together with the French rider. Taken to the medical centre of the circuit, Danilo was diagnosed as having a badly bruised left ankle, but according to the specialists it is nothing to worry about. Despite today’s no-score, Petrucci remains in fifth place in the Riders’ standings, 14 points behind Rins and 7 from Viñales.

It is worth mentioning the good performance by the Pramac Racing Team: in his home race Jack Miller stepped onto the podium in third, a position the Australian inherited after Viñales crashed out on the last lap, and Pecco Bagnaia put in a great race to finish fourth.

In the Constructors’ standings Ducati remains in second position and slightly increases its lead over Yamaha, while in the Teams’ classification the Ducati Team is just holding onto the lead by one point.


Andrea Dovizioso (#04 Ducati Team) – 7th

“After a first part of the race in which we were fast, we consumed the rear tyre too much and our rhythm dropped compared to that of the top three. In the group of riders fighting for fourth place, we were all in a bit of difficulty but on the last lap I had created the right opportunity for myself: unfortunately, at Turn 2 the bike got away from me, I went wide and lost four positions. In the end it was a pity because we could have finished third and got onto the podium, albeit with a big gap from the first two. The positive aspect from today is that we confirmed our second place in the Riders’ classification, with two rounds remaining and for the third year in a row.”

Danilo Petrucci (#9 Ducati Team) – DNF

“I’m bitterly disappointed because finally I was having a weekend that lived up to my expectations and this morning in qualifying I had set a good time, so I was very optimistic for the race. At Turn 2 Marquez came in on me on the inside, I was forced to go wide and onto a dirty line, lost control of the bike and had a high-side that unfortunately also involved Quartararo. I’m really sorry for him and also for the fact that I probably missed a chance to get onto the podium. My ankle is hurting badly, but after a first check in the circuit, it seems that nothing is broken so I hope to be OK for Malaysia.”

The next event on the MotoGP calendar is in one week’s time at Sepang, where the Shell Malaysian Grand Prix will be held from 1st to 3rd November at the circuit near Kuala Lumpur International Airport.