Dovizioso fully fit for MotoGP return at Misano

Andrea Dovizioso says he’s fully recovered from his heavy off at the British MotoGP three weeks ago ahead of the Misano round having feared “the consequences could have been much worse” after colliding with Fabio Quartararo’s Petronas Yamaha.

The Ducati rider saw his Silverstone race wrecked at the first corner when he was accidentally taken out by Quartararo’s M1 after the MotoGP rookie had highsided off.

Dovizioso was taken to hospital as a precaution for concussion and a head injury but was allowed to return home with his Ducati squad on the Sunday night after the race.

Having taken part in the two-day Misano test less than one week on from his fall, Dovizioso has confirmed he’ll be 100% fit for the San Marino round at Misano.

“After the incident in England I’m lucky to be able to take part in the San Marino GP without any physical problems, because my Silverstone crash was a really big one and the consequences could have been much worse,” Dovizioso said.

“During the two days of testing I was still not 100% fit, but now I’m fine, I feel in shape and am really anxious to race at this circuit, which for me is special, close to my home and where I’m sure that the support of the fans will be fantastic.”

Having reached the rostrum at Misano for the past two years, including a memorable victory 12 months ago, Dovizioso is in a confident frame of mind for Ducati.

“The aim is to repeat the results of the last two seasons when we got onto the podium and we were competitive all through the weekend,” he said.

Dovizioso’s DNF at Silverstone took a heavy blow to his MotoGP world title hopes as he fell 78 points behind leader Marc Marquez.

Alex Rins has closed up to 23 points behind Dovizioso in third place in the standings after clinching victory at Silverstone in a final-corner fight against Marquez.