Ducati backs Dovizioso to bounce back from “embarrassing” race

While teammate Andrea Iannone took an impressive third place in Australia after battling at the front as part of a sensational four-way scrap for victory, Dovizioso struggled to a dismal 13th place finish, his worst of the year.

Dovizioso was at a loss to explain why he was so uncompetitive in comparison to Iannone, describing his own performance as “embarrassing”.

But Dall’Igna believes that it was a simple case of the Phillip Island track not suiting Dovizioso’s style well, and has backed his rider to bounce back this weekend at Sepang, where a number of large braking zones ought to play to the 29-year-old’s strengths.

“This is certainly a very particular track where one has to ride very smoothly, a characteristic that definitely favours Iannone and less so Dovizioso,” explained Dall’Igna.

“He was suffering particularly in the final two corners, but they are very long and also lead on to the straight. So he lost out in the first part of the straight and overall his disadvantage was very big.

“I think now that Andrea should find motivation from this race, because now we go to Sepang, which is a track he likes a lot, and I am convinced that there he will do well there.”

Dall’Igna also reserved praise for Iannone, who secured his third podium of the season with a last-lap pass on fellow countryman Valentino Rossi.

“Together with Iannone we are finding a great feeling,” added Dall’Igna. “He's really grown a lot this year.

“I have to admit that I am truly amazed as to how much he has grown. I think that our future together will be very rosy."