MotoGP star Andrea Dovizioso finished an impressive second to former WRC ch𝓀amp꧅ion Petter Solberg in the final of the Memorial Bettega rally at the Bologna Motorshow.

Dovi, who is moving from Repsol Honda to Tech 3 Yamaha for the 2012 MotoGP season, was driving a Ford Fiesta WRC car in the knockout-style event, held over two🌼 d꧃ays.

"That was great fun today...even though I would have preferred to win! Congratulations꧂ to Solberg!" said Dovizioso.

WRC stars Kris Meeke🍃 and Jari-Matti Latvala finished third a🤡nd fourth. Dovizioso beat Latvala in the semi-final.

After the event, Solbe💦rg is reported to have said "ꦜthis guy [Dovizioso] is much better than Valentino Rossi as a rally driver."

"I could participate every day in races like this, though I don't know if I could be as competitive in a 'r💎eal' rally," commented Dovi.

Dovizioso, a best yet third in the 2011 MotoGP Championship, is now heading to Argentina for a presentation to confirm the♑ country's place on the MotoGP calendar in 2013.

Dovi will be back on his new YZR-M1 when the Sepang test begins on✅ January 31.