The Italian rider, Italian team and the Italian GP were in the limelight on Sunday at Autodromo del Mugello. Ducati Team's Andrea Dovizioso passed the chequered flag first at the Gran Premio d'Italia Oakley in Italy, the sixth round of the MotoGP race of the season.
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It is the third MotoGP victory in Dovizioso's career. It is also the 31-year-old Italian's first podium finish before his home fans since joining the Italian Ducati team in 2013.
Dovizioso had a fierce battle on track with championship leader Maverick Vinales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP), who started the race in Pole position. Vinales was leading the early part of the race. However, the impressive pace of Dovizioso saw him passing Vinales with nine laps to go, and he led during the rest of the way.
The podium finish was also achieved by the second home rider, Danilo Petrucci of Octo Pramac Racing, after he started ninth on the grid. Seven-time world champion and the fan favourite Italian, Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP), shot off the line for the lead from P2 on the grid. However, he failed retain his advantage and finally finished the race in P4.
Alvaro Bautista (Pull&Bear Aspar Team) overtook reigning Champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team) to complete the top five, with Johann Zarco (Monster Yamaha Tech 3) coming home in P7 behind Marquez.
Lorenzo, after his early duel for the lead, suffered grip issues. The Spaniard later crossed the line in the eighth position, beating Ducati test rider Michele Pirro. Andrea Iannone had an incredible start from P16, after having been ill throughout the weekend. The Team Suzuki Ecstar rider completed the top 10 list.
A late drama saw Dani Pedrosa (Repsol Honda Team) crash after a collision with LCR Honda's Cal Crutchlow in the final lap.
Vinales retained his lead in the championship with 105 points, 26 ahead of Dovizioso and 30 ahead of Rossi. Now the paddock heads for Barcelona for the Catalan GP on June 11.
