Ducati looking strong but need another step

Andrea Dovizioso topped the times on an impressive opening day for Ducati with the Italian leading the way ahead of Jorge Lorenzo and Andrea Iannone. Having tested at Mugello before the French Grand Prix the team were able to hit the ground running today however Dovizioso still thinks that they need to make another step if they are to challenge for the win on Sunday.

“Strong but still enough,” said Dovizioso. “Not as good as I would like. The speed is there, a ‘47.4s is a really nice lap time. But still we are working on the pace. Especially in this track it is very hard and difficult to keep the pace until the end, about energy and the rear tyre. Still we have our work to do to fight for the victory. I think still it is not enough after day one.

“In this moment Lorenzo has the best pace, yes. He doesn’t have a margin but it is easy for him to keep the lap time and that makes the difference with Lorenzo. It is more about the grip we have to improve. The consistency of the grip is not the best and from the middle of the race until the end our tyre drop a little bit more than Yamaha and doesn’t give us the possibility to finish the race with them so we are working on that.”

Iannone, who is recovering  from a fracture of his funny bone, has looked strong but tampered any expectations by admitting that he still lacks power in his arm and is struggling with his shoulder injury.

“My shoulder around this track is really difficult to manage because the changes of direction are so fast. The problem isn’t pain it’s that I don’t have power in the change of direction so I’m slow in these. The power in my arm and shoulder is less. I’ll try my best for this weekend. The bike feels good and we’re working really well and improving the bike.”