For Dovizioso however, his rookie season may not have included as many sensational ups and downs but it has been similarly impressive – and on factory machinery with Repsol Honda next year he will be confident of regularly getting closer to Lorenzo on race day in 2009.

The JiR Team Scot rider has only twice failed to finish a race in the top ten in 2008 and only once has he been unable to score points, crashing out after a great run at Estoril – where his great rival Lorenzo was of course victorious.

Dovizioso has not been on the MotoGP podium yet but has gone close on several occasions, with three fourth place finishes and seven top fives overall the highlights of a remarkably consistent campaign.

The visits to Malaysia and Valencia as the 2008 World Championship campaign concludes will see Dovizioso hoping for his first premier class rostrum appearance and attempting to outscore Lorenzo on both occasions as the bragging rights of 2008 MotoGP Rookie of the Year are contested to the death.

© DORNA / CAPSIS International