Dovizioso celebrates new Ducati deal with new course record
LE MANS, France: Italian Andrea Dovizioso marked signing a two-year extension with Ducati on Friday by setting a course record on his way to dominating free practice for Sunday’s French Moto GP at Le Mans.
Dovizioso finished runner-up in the championship to Marc Marquez in what was the Italian’s best season to date in Moto GP last year. It was also the first time Ducati had launched a serious title challenge in Moto GP since the heady days of now-retired Australian ace Casey Stoner.
The Bologna-based outfit announced on Twitter Friday: “We wanted to let our followers know first that it’s official! Andrea Dovizioso extends contract with Ducati for two more years. 4+4=8 years as a Ducatista!”
The announcement, which extends Dovizioso’s deal with the team until the end of 2020, came in timely fashion.
Spanish ace Marquez had earlier powered his Honda to the fastest time, 1min 32.47sec, of the first free practice, where Dovizioso was second at just 0.025sec behind.
After Ducati’s announcement, the 32-year-old Italian trumped his Spanish rival’s time in 1:31.936. Marquez was second at 0.168 behind with Italian great Valentino Rossi, third on a Yamaha at 0.243.
Dovizioso’s fastest lap was 0.39 quicker than the previous record for the Bugatti circuit, set in 2016 by Spain’s Jorge Lorenzo.