Andrea Dovizioso looked for a positive note saying that todays MotoGP race at the Sachsenring confirms his Ducati GP18 is better than previous editions of the bike.

The Italian was seventh and the fourth of four Ducatis in the top ten which included Danilo Petrucci, Alvaro Bauista and Jorge Lorenzo who finished fourth, fifth and sixth respectively.

Dovizioso elected to see the number of Ducati’s challenging inside the top ten and fighting for podiums at a circuit, which historically has never been one conducive to Ducati success.

“The race was okay, I think our bike is not good in this layout,” said Dovizioso.

“We are very strong in the acceleration but not when the corner is very long so this is normal.

“I am happy because we confirm our bike is better than last year. Because we have a chance to stay on top and with four Ducati’s with not a lot of seconds to Marc, so this is much better than the past.”

Despite being happy with the progress of his bike, Dovizioso wasn’t happy with the way in which is bike used its rear tyre. The Italian said that his tyre went away from him halfway through the race.

“The point where I’m not happy is the drop of the tyre,” he said.

“I couldn’t manage the speed and the drop in a perfect way. At the end I couldn’t push the last 15 laps and I lose too much.”