Despite putting in two good showings in the opening rounds of the 2008
MotoGP Championship,
Andrea Dovizioso remains impatient to add a podium finish to his resume, and hopes that this weekend's Portuguese race will provide the opportunity to break into the top three.
The JiR Team Scot rider recorded a fourth place on debut at the Qatar night race, and followed that up with eighth at
Jerez, having run stronger than his result suggests, but insists that he is looking for some confirmation of his potential with an even better result.
"I'm looking for something better than at Jerez!" the Italian pointed out, "I want some confirmation to show what I've learned after these first two races, and I want to be competing and fighting with the best.
"After Jerez, I went back home to London just to relax and not think of racing bikes for a few days. I took some time out with some friends and worked on my fitness programme, although unfortunately I didn't have a chance to do any motocross, which is the way I normally like to keep fit.”
Dovizioso has a decent record at the demanding Estoril circuit as, in the last two years in the 250cc class, he scored a victory and a second place, and sees no reason why he cannot continue that trend in the 800cc senior category.
“I've had very good results on both the 125 and 250cc bikes, which is why I feel I can do the same with the MotoGP bike, even though I have never ridden it at the circuit," he insisted, "Obviously, though, knowing where to put the front wheel on the racetrack and enjoying it so much still should be an advantage. The track itself is slow in parts, but with a very long main straight, which may not be the best thing for my bike, but the tight and slow turns could be to my advantage."
Team director Gianluca Montiron is hopeful that his young charge can again make an impression, but knows that there is a lot of work to do before race day.
