Source: Supplied.

The Ducati Team riders threw away a certain double podium finish in the GP of Argentina, held at the Termas de Río Hondo circuit.

Andrea Dovizioso and teammate Andrea Iannone were in second and third place on the final lap, but an attack by the latter two corners before the finishing line caused both of them to crash out.

“I am very disappointed because we did a great race despite it being a complicated weekend for everyone,” Dovizioso said. “In qualifying we went well, in the race I was running up front and in my opinion the strategy was a good one.

“I even changed bikes at the right moment, staying out a lap extra and making up a few seconds. In the last few laps we were in a bit of difficulty, but we managed to catch Valentino and I tried to close all the doors during the final lap.

“In the penultimate corner however what everyone could see happened and I missed out on a certain second place. Looking at things positively, we were also quick here in Argentina and, if I had managed to finish the race, now we would be second in the championship just one point behind Marquez.”

Dovizioso was able to push his bike across the line and was classified in 13th position, with Iannone a non-finisher in spectacular circumstances.

“Even though I didn’t manage to get a good start, I was doing a good race,” Iannone said. “For sure I could have been quicker in the early stages, but when I changed bikes I started again at a better pace than the riders ahead of me and I managed to pass Rossi two or three times, until Andrea passed us again on the last lap.

“When I arrived at the penultimate corner, I lost the front and brought down Dovizioso in the crash. Unfortunately that’s the way it went and I am really sorry for my team, for Andrea and for everyone in Ducati because for sure a podium today with both Ducati Team riders would have been an exceptional result.”

The race was held in dry conditions, with a particular flag-to-flag format that included a mandatory bike change between laps nine and 11.