Who would have thought that Ducati and Dovizioso would have to worry about Valentino for the (platonic but nevertheless important) title of vice-champion? Yamaha, despite having not won a race for more than a year, could actually finish the season in front of the red bike. With just a 9-point advantage, Andrea is not underestimating the Doctor.

“I definitely need to look out for Valentino as far as 2nd place is concerned. i expect him to be fast here at Phillip Island like at Sepang, and I don't see why he won't be Valencia too”.

Those who look solely at the standings, would think Ducati and Yamaha were on a par…

“I'm the first to admit that we've lost a lot of points along the way. It depends how you look at things, I try to take a positive view. This year we've been able to fight for wins and podiums at tracks where that was not possible last year”.

Could a strategy like Rossi's have brought better results?

“I would have finished the season with more points, but I wouldn't have been able to fight for the title against Marquez. Valentino was forced into a different kind of championship due to difficulties with his bike, he's done well to manage things. He's taken the maximum possible, but has finished a long way from Marc in various races. We had greater potential than him, but sometimes you make mistakes”.

So you have no regrets?

“Our approach was the right one in order to fight for the title. The aim wasn't just to get closest to Marquez in the standings”.

It used to be Marquez making the mistakes…

“Firstly, the Marc-Honda pairing is more higher this year than last. They've won 8 races up until now, and that tells of a superiority, it's impossible to say to what extent this is down to the rider or the bike. It's true that Marc makes mistakes but he only does he when he's at the limit and he hasn't been there at that point in every race this year”.

So it would have been easier to beat Marquez in 2017?

“Yes, also because we were still in the fight until the final race and, in that situation, every detail can make the difference. At the same time though, we didn't have the same substance last year. We had some great races, but also others in which we really struggled. This year we've shown to be more competitive, but from Brno onwards and you don't win a championship from Brno onwards”.

What has this season taught you?

“That you can always learn from defeat and mistakes and should not deal with them negatively. They are all situations that prove Marquez's strength and that will be useful to be for next year".

You've also said that the Phillip Island race will be an important test in preparation for the future…

“Yes, more important than usual, because it's a track where we've suffered in the past. It has extreme, unique features, and this weekend can tell us a lot of things that will be useful when it comes to developing the bike for next year”.

Are you more optimistic than in past seasons?

“I expect to be closer to the fastest guys, but that doesn't mean in front of everyone”.

Are you looking for the podium?

“Definitely, that's the goal. But many of us have the same aim - I expect the Yamahas and Suzukis to be quick here, Crutchlow is impressive and Marquez too. Many of us are fighting for just three places”.