Source: Supplied.

MotoGP championship challenger Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) says Phillip Island’s grand prix this weekend will serve greater difficulty for himself, while he understands it’s a favoured circuit of rival and current points leader Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda).

The Italian ace is coming off a thrilling victory last weekend in Japan, and has stated he needs to make it work throughout the weekend as just three rounds remain in the title hunt.

“For sure Phillip Island is one of Marquez’s favourite tracks, and the situation will probably be a bit more difficult for us,” Dovizioso explained. “But last year we did a good race and so we must try and work in the best possible way throughout the weekend.

“There are now just three rounds left until the end and anything can happen: we must try and always be fast at every circuit and in every condition. On paper we are not favourites for the win in Australia but we’ll be fighting as hard as ever.”

Dovizioso currently sits 11 points behind Marquez heading into the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix, which could play a critical role in the fight for the 2017 MotoGP World Championship crown.