Dovizioso content with top ten start

The JIR Team Scot Honda rider had been lying as high as fifth late in the session, but was pushed back by the likes of James Toseland and Loris Capirossi in the final 90 seconds, leaving him with mixed feelings.

"I'm fairly happy with this third row," he told Italia 1 telvision. "I was hoping for the second, but third isn't bad, because it's very difficult to overtake here in the first two corners, so it's important to start well.

"However, the problem isn't the start, it's that we've tested really little in the dry, so we don't know the tyres and the set-up much for tomorrow. Let's hope the warm-up will be in good conditions."

Dovizioso said he was delighted with the way his rookie Moto GP season has gone, ahead of his final race for the JIR Team Scot Honda squad and is looking to consolidate his fifth place in the riders' championship in Sunday's race.

"Fifth place immediately behind the works riders, the strongest ones... we've also fought against them in some races," the Italian, who will switch to the factory Honda squad next year, added.

"We know full well the difference between satellite teams and the factory ones, even more this year, so we should be happy. And on top of that we got our first podium, in the last race we had in Malaysia. That was the icing on the cake. Let's keep that.

"Leaving JIR Team Scot in these conditions is the best possible way. They're intelligent, they understand - in fact are proud - that also thanks to them I got to where I am going now."