Andrea Dovizioso curious to test Ducati

Andrea Dovizioso says he is curious to understand the size of the task he faces to make Ducati a serious podium challenger in MotoGP when he makes his Desmosedici debut in Valencia next Tuesday.

The Italian will replace compatriot Valentino Rossi in 2013 and his first chance to evaluate the Ducati will come in a two-day test session at the Ricardo Tormo track next week.

The former 125GP world champion said he has no high expectations ahead of the test as he becomes the latest high profile rider to stake his reputation on making the Ducati a competitive force again.

Nine-times world champion Rossi has scored just three podium finishes in 34 races and he will make a return to Yamaha’s factory squad next season in a bid to bounce back from a dismal spell with Ducati.

Dovizioso told MCN: “I’m really curious but there is nothing special in my mind to do an amazing lap time and my feet are on the ground because we know the situation and we have to work. I have no high expectation about the lap time and we have time to work.”

Dovizioso will also take part in a three-day test session in Jerez at the end of November before the winter testing ban commences on December 1.