Ducati hopes to build on Germany's set-up in Mugello MotoGP race

Wet weather prevented Ducati from gaining too much experience with the new settings on Friday and Saturday, but come the race both Valentino Rossi and Nicky Hayden were part of a multiple-bike fight for what became fifth place.

Rossi eventually finished the higher of the two in sixth, just two tenths of a second behind LCR Honda's Stefan Bradl.

Rossi, who held encouraging talks with Audi chairman Rubert Stadler in Germany, said it was imperative for Ducati to build upon the set-up base it discovered in Germany.

"Sunday at the Sachsenring, we used a setup that enabled us to be more consistent and to stress the rear tyre a bit less so that we still had a decent pace at the end of the race," he said.

"It was our best result of the year so far in the dry, so now we'll start from that base in an effort to improve at Mugello.

"It's the Italian Grand Prix, so everyone, including myself, must make an extra effort to do well in our home race. We really have to try to do our best."

Team manager Vittoriani Guareschi echoed Rossi's thoughts, adding: "There's a big difference between a short, narrow track like the Sachsenring, and one that's old-style, with long straightaways and big, fast corners like Mugello, but we must manage to find the positive aspects of the setup that we identified in Germany.

"In this way, we can make it possible for Vale and Nicky to do their best, and also to enjoy themselves in a race that means a lot to both of them."