Dovizioso: A fast race, Jorge wants to escape

Andrea Dovizioso expects team-mate and Misano MotoGP pole starter Jorge Lorenzo to try and escape in the early laps of Sunday's race.

The Italian, who will start from fourth position (+0.374s), has his own strategy for success but predicts that at least five riders, from three manufacturers, have the pace to win.

"I think Marc, Maverick and also Valentino have a really good pace, the same as us," Dovizioso said.

"There are a minimum of four-five riders capable of the pace and I think, because of the layout of the track and the [low] consumption of the tyres, it will be a really fast race.

"Also because I believe Jorge wants to start very fast and that for sure can create this situation…

"I have my strategy. But to have a strategy and be able to make your strategy is a different story. You have to adapt to the conditions. I think we are fast. We have our cards to use. But everybody is on the limit. Let's see tomorrow."

Dovi's prediction that tyre consumption will be low also casts doubt on Marc Marquez's theory that the Ducatis - which fill three of the top four places on the grid - will not be able to use all of their torque in the later stages of the race.

"At most of the tracks you have to manage the tyres, but here normally not," Dovizioso said. "Yesterday the tyre consumption was very bad, but today it was normal. Like at the test. So at the moment it looks like the drop of the tyre will be very low. But the race is always different and we can't know for sure."

Ducati is rumoured to be using pre- and post-race tyre analysis and simulation software from MegaRide to help get the most from the Michelin's MotoGP rubber.

It is thought that the MegaRide software computes data on the thermal and frictional behaviour of the tyres, accounting for wear and degradation to help optimise set-up for each tyre compound.