Andrea Dovizioso said his podium in Phillip Island is further proof of how rounded the Desmosedici is as he secured he best MotoGP result around the Australia track with Ducati.

The Italian’s third place at Phillip Island is not only his best result on Ducati but matches his best result in MotoGP way back in 2011. Phillip Island is a circuit the Ducati struggles on, and Dovizioso believes this result further shows the advancements the bike has made.

“A lot of good things happened today, I’m really happy,” said the 32-year-old.

“That was the last important test before we finish the season, because that was a track I am always struggling. So we confirmed from every practice our improvement from last year.

“The winglets, the set up is different from last year and it worked. Today it was good with less wind for us, but anyway the improvement is big and I am happy about that.”

Despite the podium, Dovizioso said there were still steps that needed to be taken, including finding speed mid-corner.

“Still it’s not enough to really fight, because in the middle of the corner I was too slow,” he said.

“We accelerated more in the main straight but in some of the corners I couldn’t exit with the right speed. So I was able to put myself in the right position that gave me the chance to fight for the podium, because I really didn’t have the same speed as these two [Vinales and Iannone].

“So I’m happy to finish on the podium, that is important for us, good for the championship as Valentino is there.

“But we are focused on that, we still have to continue to improve a little but in the middle of the corners, because in some other parts we are really, really good but we are still we are struggling in the middle of the corners.”

As well as Dovizioso finishing third, his factory Ducati team-mate for the weekend, Alvaro Bautista was fourth. When asked if he felt Bautista’s race showed the speed of the Ducati more than his, Dovizioso said: “No, I’m not really surprised.

“I’ve known Alvaro for a long time. I think his riding style is one of the top riders. I think he’s shown from when he raced in 250 and every MotoGP Championship he’s one of the top riders in that.

“With a good bike and a good base, he just has to ride on a good track for him because I think it’s really good in a track where the consumption of the rear tyre is very high with all the long corners.

“I’m not too surprised, I’m happy for him and the team as we got important points today.”