MotoGP 2017: Dovizioso & Ducati win home GP at Mugello

Andrea Dovizioso wins on home turf as he rockets his factory Ducati Desmosedici ahead of Maverick Vinales and Danilo Petrucci. 

Andrea Dovizioso ran a flawless race in front of his home crowd at Mugello to win the Italian Grand Prix. Not only that, Dovizioso’s victory today meant he became the first Italian to win on an Italian machinery in Italy. A remarkable feat, you’ve to say. Pole-sitter Maverick Vinales of Movistar Yamaha took the second spot, while a stunning performance by Danilo Petrucci of Octo Pramac Ducati saw him take the final spot on the podium.

As the lights went out, it was the crowd's favourite Valentino Rossi who took the holeshot and led the pack during the first lap. However, just after the beginning of the second lap, it was Jorge Lorenzo who pushed his Ducati all the way to the front as he rocketed his Desmosedici past the factory Yamahas of Rossi and Vinales on the main straight. Lorenzo’s reign at the front was short-lived though as his pace quickly started to drop, allowing Rossi, Vinales, Dovizioso and Petrucci to pass him in next couple of laps. Next up, it was Vinales who made a move on Rossi to lead the race. Dovizioso, however, passed both the Yamaha factory riders and led charge until the end of the race.

Meantime, Rossi was now challenged by Petrucci. The Octo Pramac Ducati rider overtook the Doctor without any difficulty. Petrucci even overtook Vinales for the second position, but Vinales quickly upped his pace and regained his position. Towards the end of the race, Vinales tried his best to catch Dovizioso, but to no avail. The positions remained unchanged.

Behind Rossi, it was yet another Ducati of Alvaro Bautista who finished fifth, beating Repsol Honda rider Marc Marquez by a whisker. Johann Zarco of Tech 3 Yamaha finished seventh, ahead of Jorge Lorenzo. Michele Pirro and Andrea Iannone rounded out the top ten. The last lap of the race also Dani Pedrosa and Cal Crutchlow crash out of the race, owing to a collision.

After today’s results, Vinales continues to lead the championship with 105 points. Thanks to the win today, Dovizioso now sits second with 79 points, followed by Rossi at 75 and Marquez and Pedrosa at 68 each. The next MotoGP round will be held in a week's time at Catalunya in Spain, starting on June 9.