Qualified eighth last year on the starting grid at Misano, Andrea Dovizioso progressed this year by qualifying on the second row with the sixth fastest time. He would have preferred fifth place, but he was beaten by two tenths by his teammate of the weekend, Michele Pirro replacing Andrea Iannone.
Already sixth at the end of free practice, Dovizioso hoped for a little better because Ducati came to do private tests a fortnight ago on the track on the banks of the Adriatic. This test session was satisfactory, before Andrea twisted his right knee, which is seriously bothering him this weekend, even if according to him it is more for walking than for piloting his Desmosedics.
“I am happy with the result this afternoon, Dovi estimated, because, in the morning, with the colder temperature, I had lost a little sensation. My running pace is really good, although many of us are at a similar level. Tomorrow I think it will be a close race and it will be essential to get a good start. I'm sorry for what happened to Andrea Iannone because I know how important the Misano race is for an Italian driver, but I am also happy with the good performance of Michele Pirro. He rode very well today ».
