Ducati's Dovizioso and Iannone shrug off low-key MotoGP test pace

Dual world champion and returning test rider Casey Stoner set the fastest time on a factory Ducati during the first test at Sepang, while the Avintia satellite squad led the way for the brand at Phillip Island.

On a GP14.2, Hector Barbera upstaged the factory riders with sixth on Thursday's second day and then fourth on Friday, two spots ahead of team-mate Loris Baz.

While Iannone was right behind Barbera on the second day, he was 12th on the final day with Dovizioso 10th, the pair split by Pramac Ducati's Scott Redding.

Dovizioso, though, says the speed from the 2016 Desmosedici has come fairly easily in the early stages.

"It was actually easy for us to be quite fast, even though we're still missing a couple of tenths of a second to get up to the top at the end of the day," he said.

"However I am happy with my race pace because I have a good feeling with my bike, and going away from Phillip Island with this feeling was my aim, especially in view of the fact that this is a track where I have always struggled a bit.

"The aim now is to make a further step forward in Qatar in order to be ready for the race and be protagonists like last year."

Dovizioso claimed pole for last year's season opener in Qatar, and narrowly lost out in the race to victor Valentino Rossi.

The Losail circuit will host the final pre-season test on March 2-4, running Iannone says will be the key to unlocking more speed.

"In the end these tests at Phillip Island have been positive because we were able to test at length and understand the differences between the new Desmosedici GP and the GP15," he said.

"This is a very important aspect because we were also able to find the direction to take in order to fine-tune all the details.

"Even though I am not entirely satisfied with my final position, I am pleased with the work that we have done and the steps forward we managed to make.

"We still have to improve however and we expect more, so the next tests in Qatar will be really important."