Andrea Dovizioso is hoping the prospect of a level playing field will play into his hands as he joins his MotoGP counterparts in racing at Indianapolis for the first time.

Dovizioso's reputation has continued to improve as the season has progressed, but while it his ability to get up to speed on the sole JiR Team Scot Honda that has caught many people's eye, he now has the chance to learn his way around Indianapolis from the same stand-point as his rivals.

Indeed, the Italian is excited about the challenge posed by the circuit, which remains something of a mystery to most teams, despite a two-day test there in July.

"Indianapolis will be a new track for everyone, but in my case I am not worried because I learn new tracks very quickly, as I did at Laguna Seca. I've never had the occasion to visit Indianapolis, but it seems to me that it is a slow track and quite short.

“To make a prediction on the outcome of the race is not possible, but given that we all have the same level of knowledge of the track, this condition could prove a point in my favour. Good support from Michelin will be vital in this race."

With Dovizioso currently fifth in the championship and only a handful of points up on Chris Vermeulen and Colin Edwards, JiR Team Scot director Gianula Monitron is hoping a good performance here will set them up well for an intense end to the season.

"The Grand Prix of Indianapolis is a big step in the final stage of this year's championship. This is a new track to us which no rider – except a very few – has had an occasion to try. Our riders will have to interpret the track from day one, and the track surface is one which is unknown to us all, although it does seem to be particularly abrasive.

“This race is an important one for the final 'sprint' to the end of the championship and we expect maximum support from our technical partners, as it will be important to exploit this opportunity of gaining more precious points.”