Dovizioso happy with Jerez showing

This was Dovizioso's first test in wet conditions in the top class, and the rider said he and his JiR Team Scot need all the experience they can get.

"I'm happy because the fifth position is good, however we could have done better," the Italian told Italian broadcaster Italia1.

"We had to use the very hard-compound tyres but we realized that late, and we fit them only at the end. We weren't really ready, let's say we are settling in: this is new for all of us.

"It was tough, but it's a good experience because it's difficult to find these conditions, but they may occur in the race. You learn many things: with all this power the bike would drift in the straights."

Asked if this test, which saw Ducati's Casey Stoner leading ahead of Yamaha's Valentino Rossi, is a sign of things to come for the rest of the season, Dovizioso replied: "No, these are particular conditions, it's not the real deal.

"Stoner and Rossi are very quick in the dry, while (reigning 250cc champion Jorge) Lorenzo hasn't shown his best. However, these are particular conditions: we'll have to see what kind of laptimes we set in the last tests in the dry in Qatar.

"Rossi and Stoner are in the best shape, as would (Honda's Dani) Pedrosa if he hadn't hurt himself, so I don't know in what physical conditions he will be at the first race. We aren't too far off though. Lorenzo also looks to be in good shape.

"So we'll see. It will be tough to make predictions until we do the first race, but I can't wait."