Andrea Iannone revelled in one of 'my best MotoGP races ever' after the Ducati rider finished on the podium at Phillip Island at the expense of Valentino Rossi.

Iannone denied his fellow Italian third place after a frenetic battle with the Yamaha star on the final lap, fighting back after Rossi had made a pass on the brakes at MG corner.

The 30-year-old was right in contention throughout the race after starting from second place on the front row and lasted the distance on the GP15 to score a stunning podium.

"I think it was a very good race for me because for all the race it was an incredible battle with Vale and with Marc [Marquez] and also in the beginning with Jorge [Lorenzo]," said Iannone.

"In the beginning for me it was really difficult in the braking point and Marc passed me every time in corner four and corner 10 because he is stronger in the braking point, but I try my best to follow him and Vale to try and close the gap to Jorge.

"I'm so really happy because it is incredible, it is one of my best races in the MotoGP class; sure, I don't win, but it is an amazing fight with the best riders - Jorge, Vale, Marc - so I am happy and thanks to Ducati because the bike is really fast in the straight and this helps me in this fight," he added.

"Every lap it is possible to pass one of the riders [on the straight] and this is important for this race."

Iannone struck a seagull on lap two at Lukey Heights and was fortunate the incident did not have more severe consequences.

"The seagull wait on me for the kiss, but I told him wait on me before the race, not the second lap," he joked.

"It is difficult but it is better him fly before I arrive because I would clip him with the front tyre and for sure I would go down."