Dovizioso has Marquez in title sights

at 24 to achieve the milestone.

Marquez’s consistency has made him the benchmark rider of this season’s world championship but Italy’s Dovizioso has doggedly kept in touch on his Ducati and Phillip Island looms as the pivotal race of this year’s fight for the title.

“For sure Phillip Island is one of Marquez’s favourite tracks and the situation will probably be a bit more difficult for us,” Dovizioso said.

“But last year we did a good race and so we must try and work in the best possible way throughout the weekend.

“There are now just three rounds left until the end and on paper we are not favourites for the win in Australia but we’ll be fighting as hard as ever.”

Marquez has two victories around Phillip Island — in the 125cc class in 2010 and the 2015 Australian MotoGP — along with two podium finishes and four pole positions.

Against that Dovizioso won in the 125cc class in 2004 and made the podium with a third place in the 2011 MotoGP.

Marquez has been on pole for the past three years at Phillip Island and rates the track as one of his favourites.

Valentino Rossi has a phenomenal record at Phillip Island with six wins in the premier class from 2001 to 2005, and again in 2014.

The legendary Italian, in fifth place and 76 points adrift of Marquez on the world standings, resumed racing last month just three weeks after double leg fracture surgery. AFP