Improvement is what the Ducati team are after for the 2013 Moto GP season and every race is bringing just that for the team and the riders. At the TIM Italian Grand Prix held at Mugello at the weekend, Nicky Hayden and Andrea Dovizioso posted their best results so far this season. Furthermore, Michele Pirro who was a Ducati Test Team rider and wildcard entry to the race also finished strongly. At Le Mans last month the two regular Ducati riders finished 7th and 8th respectively however this time around they improved on this with Dovizioso coming in at a well earned 5th place and Hayden just behind in 6th. Preparations for the race had been fierce with all the Ducati team motivated and enthusiastic about their chances in Italy especially in front of the purpose built Ducati stand where a multitude of 'Tifosi’ came to watch their team. While, for Hayden at least who came 3rd in 2006 in this event, it wasn't the best results that Ducati have ever had at Mugello the fact is that it represents an improvement from Le Mans last month and continues the steady rise of the Italian team after two disappointing Moto GP seasons. The race was also a chance for wildcard entry Michele Pirro to further test out the GP13 Lab bike developed by Ducati. The Italian, who won the Valencia round of the 2011 Moto GP circuit, joined Ducati this year as a wildcard entry and produced a fairly steady performance starting in 10th position and finishing 7th. While he did make some mistakes during his race and readily admits to this himself, his performance wasn't as bad as some have been making out even if he has been overly critical of himself. Overall the circuit at Mugello, which was won by Spanish Yamaha rider Jorge Lorenzo, represented a good weekend for Ducati in general. Improved standings and, perhaps more importantly, improved confidence will only bode well for the rest of the season and in particular the Catalan Grand Prix which will be held in two weeks’ time. The Ducati team will get themselves back on the Mugello track on Thursday and Friday of this week to prepare for the race in Catalonia and to try and further improve their confidence and belief ahead of the next Moto GP event. Mugello Results 1. Jorge Lorenzo (SPA) Yamaha Factory Racing 41'39.733 2. Dani Pedrosa (SPA) Repsol Honda Team + 5.400 3. Cal Crutchlow (GBR) Monster Yamaha Tech3 + 6.412 4. Stefan Bradl (GER) LCR Honda MotoGP + 19.321 5. Andrea Dovizioso (ITA) Ducati Team + 19.540 6. Nicky Hayden (USA) Ducati Team + 26.321 7. Michele Pirro (ITA) Ducati Test Team + 38.144 8. Aleix Espargaro (SPA) Power Electronics Aspar + 39.802 9. Bradley Smith (GBR) Monster Yamaha Tech3 + 40.243 10. Hector Barbera (SPA) Avintia Blusens + 48.392
