Dovizioso surprised by practice form

The Honda rider finished third and fifth in the sessions, despite a fall half way through first practice, and is keen to repeat the showing in qualifying tomorrow.

"I didn't expect to be so fast," he said, "especially because it was not hard or physically demanding to be fast and consistent today. We have some small details to attend to tomorrow, but we are all motivated and today's results will help us do even better.

"During the first session it was important to find the best technical choices to try in the second session. We have finalised the setting of the chassis and have now found the right tyre configuration for Sunday as well.

"The crash was no problem. I did it just after doing my best time while I was trying to brake as late as I could at the end of the main straight. The front end just washed away but I wasn't worried because it's not due to a technical problem."