---
title: "Dovizioso: The championship is still open"
canonical: "https://readmotorsport.com/2017/10/26/dovizioso-the-championship-is-still-open/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Lewis Duncan"
section: "MotoGP News"
published: "2017-10-26T10:32:15Z"
modified: "2017-10-26T10:32:15Z"
---

# Dovizioso: The championship is still open

Andrea Dovizioso believes the MotoGP championship battle is ‘still open’ despite sitting 33 points adrift of standings leader Marc Marquez ahead of this weekend’s Malaysian Grand Prix.

The Ducati rider endured a torrid Phillip Island weekend, with a crash in fourth practice robbing him of confidence and leaving him 11th in qualifying, while a lack of pace and a mistake during the race saw him finish a season–worst 13th with Marquez winning.

![Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readmotorsport.com/readmotorsport/2017/10/864920428.jpg)

Dovizoso admits his chances of securing a maiden first world title in the premier class are now slim, but is confident Ducati can transform its poor dry pace at Sepang this weekend and give him a chance to claw back the sizable deficit between himself and Marquez.

“For sure, it’s an important weekend, we have to get the maximum (from the bike),” the 2016 Sepang race winner said.

“We know it’s difficult, but the championship is open, so we will see during the weekend which weather we can find during the race; it’s easy to find strange conditions during the race, so we have to be ready in any condition.

“Last year was an amazing victory, amazing battle with (Andrea) Iannone and Valentino (Rossi).

“It was really nice and I have a great memory, and it’s a track I really enjoy riding with every bike, but especially with MotoGP.

“In the past, on the dry, we never were so competitive, but expect to be better this year.

“But I want to think about the championship and try to get the best result for us, and we will see where Marc and the other riders (are).”

![Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images Sport](https://media.readmotorsport.com/readmotorsport/2017/10/866577080.jpg)

Marquez – who has failed to finish the previous two races at Sepang – remains grounded ahead of this weekend’s race despite his 33–point championship advantage.

The Honda rider believes his gap is still not big enough to be comfortable, and knows finishing this and the final race at Valencia next month is more important than pushing for victory.

“Here in the past I had some up and downs,” said Marquez.

“Not one of my best tracks, but in the pre–season – now the bike is completely different – but in the pre–season we ride consistent, fast.

“We will see where we can end up this weekend, but one of the main targets this weekend remains two races.

“I have a good advantage, but not enough, and we will try to finish both races, be in our level and always honestly thinking about the championshiop.”