Doviziozo wins in style to end Ducati drought in Czech GP
ANDREAS Dovizioso hailed a “perfect race” after holding off Ducati teammate Jorge Lorenzo and MotoGP championship leader Marc Marquez to win the Czech Grand Prix and end the Italian team’s long drought at Brno.
Eleven years have passed since Ducati last topped the podium at the sweeping Brno circuit, but Casey Stoner’s 2007 victory was repeated in style as Dovizioso led home a one-two finish to clinch their best result of the season, matching the one secured at Mugello in June.
“What a weekend,” Dovizioso said. “I expected to be fast, but not like this. Pole position and then a really perfect race because everybody was struggling with the rear tyre and ride very smoothly but I didn’t think it would be perfect.
“Jorge was there and Marc was there but I had a feeling they were on a limit unlike me, so my strategy worked and I didn’t give up, and that was a perfect move. Really happy for the team and all the people at Ducati because I know how many hours they’re working.”
Lorenzo said: “It was a spectacular race with a lot of fight at the end because this time I prefer to be a little bit slower at the start in third and fourth position to safe a little bit of tyre to attack at the end.
“Unfortunately Marc attacked me two laps from the end so Dovi got away a little bit and I couldn’t make the final attack, but for Ducati it’s perfect with first and second so we are very happy.”