Aruba Ducati's Marco Melandri scored a third place behind two rampant Kawasaki riders at his home WorldSBK round  at Imola, and knew third was the best he could do in race one after some problems setting his best possible pace with a full fuel tank.

“It was a very difficult race but to be on the podium was the best result I could get today,” said Melandri, a native of the nearby city of Ravenna. “At the beginning of the race, with a full fuel tank it was so difficult to follow the Kawasaki guys.

"I just tried to stay behind them and not make any mistakes. After 15 laps, in the last four laps, I was feeling really good with the bike. So that is a positive point thinking about tomorrow, and how to improve the bike.”

Melandri was helped along by the partisan spectators as he finally ended race one upping his pace to keep his closing team-mate Chaz Davies behind him, and take 16 points. “There was an amazing atmosphere, a lot of people and to feel such a good push from the people is something amazing.”

His main problem on Sunday may well be again Kawasaki-led, but also Davies. Chaz will, after all, start from the front row, and Melandri from the third row.

“For sure it will not be easy to start from the back but for me it is more important to find a good rhythm at the beginning. I think we have enough space to make some passes before the first corner but we can try to improve the bike a little bit to be more consistent. Chaz will be starting in front tomorrow and it will be very difficult to follow him.”