Source: Supplied.

Ducati Team’s Andrea Dovizioso says the Silverstone circuit factors a number of challenges ahead of this weekend’s grand prix at the British venue.

The Italian ace, who landed on the podium at the previous round in Austria, highlighted tyre wear, the demanding nature of the 5.9-kilometre track and also the weather as playing a considerable role in how the weekend could pan out, although he’s adamant he’ll be competitive aboard his Desmosedici GP18.

“I believe we will also be very competitive at Silverstone,” said Dovizioso. “Last year we won because I was able to race with an excellent strategy, always being in the right position to try and win, even though probably we weren’t the fastest on the track.

“The British circuit is challenging for lots of reasons: tyre wear, energy required, especially in your forearms, the always changeable weather conditions and so it’s impossible to predict the outcome. In addition, you have to take account of the track conditions and I hope that with the new surface they have been able to eliminate the bumps from last year.”

Dovizioso currently sits fourth in the championship standings, 72 points behind series leader and defending champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda).