Dovizioso, who will be joining the Ducati Team next season, arrived in the Czech Republic brimming with confidence after scoring his fifth podium in seven races last time out in Indianapolis. He continued his impressive form today.
After setting a lap of 1.57.189 in this morning's opening practice session, the Italian occupied the third position. He improved his pace to a 1.57.055 in the second free practice session to finish third quickest again and his time was just 0.144s behind Yamaha Factory rider Jorge Lorenzo in second position.
His British team mate, Cal Crutchlow, finished fourth in both sessions and satisfied with his fast pace. He made a confident start this morning with a lap of 1.57.418 and in the second session he was able to lower his pace to a 1.57.215.
Andrea Dovizioso
"I am really satisfied with the work we have done today. Obviously we arrive here in great shape after the fantastic podium in Indianapolis and immediately I was comfortable with the bike and the big positive is in both sessions I was very close to the front. I was only 0.186s behind Dani this morning and 0.197s behind him this afternoon and it is great to start the weekend being so competitive."
Cal Crutchlow
"Today wasn't a bad start to the weekend because I was fourth in both sessions and very close to Andrea. But we can definitely make some improvements to the bike. This afternoon I struggled quite a lot with the hard tyre and we need to have a look at the data closely to get more of an understanding why. I've got good pace on the soft tyre and I'm convinced I can be a bit quicker because I didn't put in a soft tyre until right at the end of this afternoon's session. I feel confident for tomorrow and am sure we can challenge for a decent grid position for Sunday."
Press release courtesy of Monster Yamaha Tech 3.
After setting a lap of 1.57.189 in this morning's opening practice session, the Italian occupied the third position. He improved his pace to a 1.57.055 in the second free practice session to finish third quickest again and his time was just 0.144s behind Yamaha Factory rider Jorge Lorenzo in second position.
His British team mate, Cal Crutchlow, finished fourth in both sessions and satisfied with his fast pace. He made a confident start this morning with a lap of 1.57.418 and in the second session he was able to lower his pace to a 1.57.215.
Andrea Dovizioso
"I am really satisfied with the work we have done today. Obviously we arrive here in great shape after the fantastic podium in Indianapolis and immediately I was comfortable with the bike and the big positive is in both sessions I was very close to the front. I was only 0.186s behind Dani this morning and 0.197s behind him this afternoon and it is great to start the weekend being so competitive."
Cal Crutchlow
"Today wasn't a bad start to the weekend because I was fourth in both sessions and very close to Andrea. But we can definitely make some improvements to the bike. This afternoon I struggled quite a lot with the hard tyre and we need to have a look at the data closely to get more of an understanding why. I've got good pace on the soft tyre and I'm convinced I can be a bit quicker because I didn't put in a soft tyre until right at the end of this afternoon's session. I feel confident for tomorrow and am sure we can challenge for a decent grid position for Sunday."
Press release courtesy of Monster Yamaha Tech 3.
