Source: Supplied.

As reigning champion Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda) holds a 67-point advantage in the 2018 MotoGP World Championship, current runner-up Andrea Dovizioso has shifted his attention to sealing second in the standings with the series heading into the final sector of the season.

Victory at Misano promoted the Italian ace to second, although he’s acknowledged the fight for vice champion honours will be difficult as he endeavours to fend off a charge from Ducati teammate Jorge Lorenzo and the ever-consistent Valentino Rossi (Movistar Yamaha).

“It’s always important to beat your teammate, and being second in the championship is important, but we’re fighting Jorge and Valentino, so it will be very difficult,” said Dovizioso. “But we haven’t given up in the season. In the middle we didn’t feel so good so we worked on the details, we found something and now we’re in a good situation.

“We were focused on improving our problems and the consequence is good results. We’re focused on improving our situation even more, to try and get the maximum out of this year but also next year because work we put in now we can use then.”

Aragon in Spain will host round 14 of the MotoGP World Championship this weekend, which marks the final European race before the series heads to the flyaway rounds that includes the Australian grand prix at Phillip Island.