Andrea Dovizioso surprised by 2014 revival

Andrea Dovizioso says he massively exceeded expectations this year after the Italian clinched an impressive fifth position in the overall MotoGP world standings on Ducati’s improved Desmosedici.

Dovizioso scored only two top six finishes in 2013 but a year on and only elite quartet including Marc Marquez, Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo and Dani Pedrosa beat him in the points.

The former 125GP world champion scored 11 top six finishes, including third in Austin and second in Assen, and he admitted he didn’t expect to be so competitive on this year’s Desmosedici project.

Dovizioso has worked closely with new technical guru Gigi Dall’Igna to improve the Desmosedici, which has been upgraded with a new engine, chassis, swingarm and fuel tank throughout the season.

After a nightmare 2013, Ducati was given special concessions that allowed it more testing and crucially it was not limited to the in-season development freeze like rivals Honda and Yamaha.

And Dovizioso told MCN:  “I am surprised because I expected to improve but not as much as we did. I am really happy about that and I am really excited about the new project. I believe we improved a lot this year and with this bike I didn’t expect it. The big question mark is how will be the new bike and until I ride it you never know. But I am really optimistic with how Gigi worked this season, so we will see.”

Dovizioso and new teammate Andrea Iannone will debut the all-new GP15 Desmosedici next February.