Petrucci can demonstrate Ducati dominance in Austrian qualifying

Austrian Grand Prix qualifying
BT Sport 2, 1.10pm Saturday

Ducati scored their second 1-2 finish of the season in last week's Czech Grand Prix and they will be confident of more success this weekend in Austria.

The Italian team have won at the Red Bull Ring both years since MotoGP returned to Austria, with Brno winner Andrea Dovizioso outdragging Marc Marquez out of the final corner to snatch the victory last year.

Dovi claimed his first pole position since Malaysia 2016 in the Czech Republic last week and is favourite for a quick follow-up.

The Italian headed the times in first practice on Friday, 0.2 seconds faster than his Ducati factory teammate Jorge Lorenzo, while Danilo Petrucci was third on a satellite Ducati.

Runaway championship leader Marc Marquez topped the second session, but the heavens opened before that one so the form shouldn't be trusted.

Honda rider Marquez, who has won two of the last five races, has said he is aiming for the podium this week.

There is around a 50 per cent chance of rain returning for qualifying and with Dovizioso, Lorenzo and Marquez all shorter than 5-2 for pole position, Petrucci is worth an each-way bet at more generous odds.

The Italian qualified fifth in Austria last year and has three front-row starts to his name this season, including second place in Germany two races ago. He also has some excellent form in the wet.

Recommendation
D Petrucci fastest qualifier
1pt each-way 10-1 bet365

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