Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
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MOTOGP FIM MOTOGP WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND 6 / MAY 31-JUNE 2, 2019 AUTODROMO DEL MUGELLO / TUSCANY, ITALY P80 erwise favors the better braking and stronger acceleration of the Ducati. "We still have a problem with speed in the middle of the corner," he said. Rins' fourth was another strong ride for the Spaniard, underlined by a fierce attack in the early laps. Failing to get into Q2 and starting from the fourth row, he'd joined the lead group after only five laps, riding with conspicuous aggression in the twists to make up for the Ecstar Suzuki's slight but significant lack of outright speed. He even led one lap, the 10th, and was less than two-tenths adrift of Dovi at the flag. Jack Miller had been a strong part of the lead group, to and fro and up to third in the early stag- es. Biding his time in fifth, when ship for Andrea." Marquez was happy with sec- ond. "It was a race to defend, so I stayed calm for the last lap," he said. "Unfortunately, I missed the apex into the first corner, and they both attacked me. But I am happy with 20 points here," he said. Dovi was, of course, disap- pointed to be third. "I did the right overtakes in the right time, but unfortunately you saw what happened in that corner," Dovi said. "I had to pick the bike up, and I lost the position. That was the bad part of the race. But I am happy for Ducati and for Danilo. He needed that result for his fu- ture." (Petrucci is fighting to stay in the factory team.) Dovi was also concerned that Marquez's Honda had shown such strength at a track that oth- than MotoGP. Conditions were hot, making tire preservation a critical factor, and punishing both Petrucci and Marquez, who were still recovering from "flu attacks." "I felt a bit better this morning, but for the past days after four or five laps I was really tired. I had to save my energy," said Petrucci, whose first victory left him with mixed emotions. "It's unbelievable, in the best place in the world," said Petrucci. "I have to thank my family and my team, and also Andrea Dovizioso for helping me through the winter. He helped me like a brother, opened the door of his house, and gave me all the secrets. I am sorry that I beat him today. I'm so sorry for that overtake. My target was my first win. From now, the target will be for the champion- Danilo Petrucci (9) holds off Marc Marquez, Andrea Dovizioso and Alex Rins on the last lap. He rode a near-perfect final circuit to take his maiden win.