The Ducati Team's First taste of Asia

After 11 races on the old continent, the MotoGP circus looks east for the second edition of the Grand Prix of Thailand. The Chang International Circuit was added to the MotoGP calendar last year and enjoyed great success both in its organisation and attendance, in a nation that has only recently established itself as a key player in the world motorcycle scene. 

The Thai racing track is quite linear, with very long straights alternating with slow bends. It does not have any particularly complex sections, and in some respects it vaguely recalls the Zeltweg track where the Ducati motorcycles have always achieved excellent results. Last year Andrea Dovizioso lost the lead at the last corner, confirming that the Desmosedici GPs are well suited for this track. 

The italian rider arrives in Thailand after his second place in Aragon, but especially after the spectacular comeback that took him from tenth to second place. Andrea continues to solidify his second position in the world championship, and given what happened 12 months ago it's a good bet that the rider from Romagna will be tough to beat here as well.

The situation is a bit different for Danilo Petrucci, who needs to get back to his early-season form. The rider from Terni is encountering some difficulties with performance consistency, and the Asian track could be the right place to find his footing once again. 

As already mentioned, Thailand has become one of the world's landmarks in the production of motorcycles, so much so that even Ducati has established its own production plant there. The passion for the reds has also grown exponentially here, to the point that the Ducati Store in Bangkok is one of the dealers with the highest sales in the world. And given the large number of local Ducatistas, Buriram will obviously have its own Ducati Grandstand offering its full and enthusiastic support to all the riders of the Desmosedici GPs.  

All Ducatisti can follow the live updates from the track and post comments on the races with us on Twitter and on our official Facebook and Instagram and don't forget to use the hashtag #ForzaDucati.