Dovizioso to tackle flyaways with 'more confidence'

Returning to the podium with a runner-up finish - from tenth on the grid - last time at Aragon means Andrea Dovizioso approaches Buriram and the start of the flyaway MotoGP races with greater confidence.

Dovi is now the only rider that can mathematically delay Marc Marquez's 2019 title celebrations, but to do so he will need to need to keep the current 98-point deficit to the Honda rider below 100 after Sunday's race.

While it's a case of 'when' rather than 'if' Marquez seals the title, Dovizioso is currently on course to finish runner-up for the third season in a row, holding a 46-point lead over Suzuki's Alex Rins.

“We needed that podium at Aragón to demonstrate that the work we are doing is right and to tackle these last five races with more confidence," Dovizioso said.

"Throughout the weekend in Spain, we made some small steps forward that helped us to finalize the set-up for the race and this must be our objective in every Grand Prix: improve the bike and my sensations in each session."

The Italian came close to snatching a final-corner victory from Marquez in Thailand last year, only for the Spaniard to re-pass the Ducati by the finish line.

"Last year we completed a fantastic weekend at Buriram and we hope to start well again this year on Friday, even though in Thailand the weather factor always plays an important role and we will have to be clever to interpret it," he added.

Team-mate Danilo Petrucci continued his record as the only point scorer in all 14 rounds to date, his consistency helping him climb to fourth in the standings and just one point from Rins.

But the Italian has been seeking answers after being absent from the rostrum for the last seven races.

"I believe that we have got over the most difficult races of the season and from here on we can only improve," said the Mugello winner.

"After the disappointment of Aragón, this week we’ve been working back in Borgo Panigale to find the answers to my problems and at Buriram I think we will see the first results.

"I can’t wait to arrive in Thailand and I hope to recapture the feeling I had in the first part of the season because I absolutely want to change this situation.”

While Marquez and Honda lead the riders' and constructors' titles, the Ducati Team holds the upper hand in the teams' standings, by 24 points.