Mugello - Finishes second at Mugello had designed the confidence Andrea Dovizioso was pumping. Honda rider was now convinced he's still got a great chance to finish the season sitting on the throne of the world champion.

This season Dovi - greeting Dovizioso - not even once the highest podium. In fact, the last time he won a race was at Donnington Park on July 26, 2009, or even nearly two years ago.

However, the performance of the eight series so far is quite stable. In addition to already four podiums, only one time the Italian rider finished outside the top five.

With these results, of course equipped with a second place finish at the Italian GP Sunday (07/03/2011), Dovi was now sitting in third position of the championship.

"The second position is very important in the world championship because I scooped up some good points and cut the distance," said Dovi in Autosport.

After the Italian GP, Dovi is now behind 33 points from the top standings Casey Stoner (Honda) and 14 points from Jorge Lorenzo (Yamaha) who inhabit the two positions.

"Casey and Jorge are very tough, but we've shown that we are in competition. Season is still long and we just have to be sure," said Dovi.