MotoGP leader Dovizioso: Assen risk 'too high' for hat-trick bid

Dovizioso finished fifth in Sunday's race and now leads the championship by four points from Maverick Vinales, who crashed out for a second time this season.

Following back-to-back wins at Mugello and Barcelona, Dovizioso appeared in contention to fight for a third-straight victory late in the race as he surged from ninth on the grid to join the leading group with 10 laps remaining.

But the arrival of light rain in the closing stages led the Italian to back off, and he was ultimately beaten by the Hondas Marc Marquez and LCR rider Cal Crutchlow in a tight battle for the final podium spot.

"Four laps before the end it started to rain, and I started to think about the championship," said Dovizioso, who is the first Ducati rider to lead the championship since Casey Stoner in 2009.

"It was impossible to understand if the corners were wet, and which corners were more wet, so the risk was too high.

"It's normal Valentino [Rossi, race winner] and Danilo [Petrucci] were able to take more risks because of the situation they have in the championship.

"I had to slow down and I couldn't fight for the victory."

Asked if that conservatism meant he now considered the championship a realistic aim, Dovizioso added: "I always race thinking about the championship.

"After the last two races we confirmed we can fight, so this is a good motivation to bring on the next races.

"But today, it was really tricky conditions and there was no reason to crash.

"In this championship, it's so important to not make a zero [score].

"Unfortunately we already did it [in Argentina]; it wasn't my fault, but this will affect the championship.

"Sometimes, like today, you don't take all the risks you could take."

MARQUEZ 'WOULD HAVE SIGNED' FOR PODIUM

Reigning champion Marquez said he also eased off when the rain arrived, eager to avoid a third non-finish of the campaign.

The Spaniard slipped to fourth in the standings, but is now only 11 points behind new leader Dovizioso.

"I was risking a lot, but when Valentino passed me I was comfortable enough behind him until the rain came," said Marquez.

"I knew Vinales was out of the race.

"I could have risked it all, but I hedged my bets and risked it only in the key moments.

"We only think about the leader [of the championship], and if on Thursday I was told I would leave here only 11 points behind, I would have signed.

"The championship is very long, we are not even halfway and look at all that has happened.

"I've already played two 'jokers' this year and this weighs heavily."