Andrea Dovizioso powered to a third place finish in the German Grand Prix, which was held today at the Sachsenring circuit.
The ninth round of the season got underway following copious morning rainfall and all riders opted to start with rain tyres on the wet track surface. When the lights changed, Dovizioso got off the line well and moved into the lead on the third lap, but he was then passed by Danilo Petrucci (Pramac Racing Ducati), whom he followed until lap 10. After the crash that put an end to Petrucci’s race, Dovizioso took over the lead again followed by Rossi, and stayed in that position until lap 22. The next time round all the riders in the leading group entered the pits to change bikes, seeing as the track surface was drying, and the Italian returned to the track with a rear slick tyre and a front intermediate, finding himself behind Redding. Dovizioso was then passed by Crutchlow but on the last lap he managed to overtake Pramac’s British rider and finish the race in third place.
Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team # 04) – 3rd
“I managed to get off to a good start and immediately get into the leading group. After Petrucci’s crash, I took the lead again and concentrated on lapping quickly without wearing out the front tyre, trying not to turn into the corners abruptly and getting the bike back up out of the corners as soon as possible. The track was starting to dry out, but I stayed focused on the tyres and for this reason I missed out on the best moment to come back in and change bikes. Maybe if I had come in at least two laps before, we might have been celebrating the win. But let’s look on the positive side: we were at the Sachsenring, on a track where we have never gone well, and today we were in the lead for lots of laps. In the end we go back home with a well-deserved podium, which I want to dedicate to my team who have been working really hard.”