Andrea Dovizioso has hailed his first MotoGP victory since 2009 as “very important” after finishing in first place at the Malaysian Grand Prix.
The Ducati rider finished second on three occasions earlier in the season, but finally stood on the top step of the podium at the Sepang International Circuit.
The race took place in tricky and challenging conditions, but Dovizioso started from pole position and managed to hold off the advances of his rivals to take victory.
It was only his second MotoGP win, having claimed his first victory at Donington Park back in 2009.
“From outside it looks like I was controlling the race but that wasn’t the reality,” he explained.
“At the start of the race there was a lot of water and the pace was very fast, but I didn’t make a mistake and I’m very happy about that because it allowed me to fight for the win later on.
“It was very important to get this result, and here in Malaysia at a great track although I’d never won here.
“When the conditions are like this anything can happen but I’ve done a lot of races in these conditions – I didn’t think much about the weather because we can’t control it.
“After that long behind Valentino [Rossi] I didn’t expect to make a gap to him but then on the straight again I saw a 1.7 second gap and I knew I had a chance.
“I could keep good pace – I could take risks or push if I needed, but I had a really good bike. The traction on the rear was really good and it allowed me to be that little bit faster.”
“This victory was important for me. In Austria, I felt that victory was mine but I made the wrong decision.
“So to get this result now – this year – is very important. A lot of people work hard at home, and to win with Ducati is something different.”
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