Few predicted that Andreaꦐ Dovizioso would take the MotoGP title fight down to the final round in 2017✃.

But the Italian's s൲tunning season means he will🎃 be high on his rivals' radar from the very start of next season.

"I think it's only positive▨," the Ducati rider said of the increased expectation. "Because now we have the feeling that we can do it.

"Otherw🙈ise, not a lotꦍ will change next year, because there will not be many changes with teams, riders and rules.

"So I think we can start next season very similar to the w🐽ay we finished 2017.

"Just I think that the competitors will look at us in a little bit of a different way than at the beginning ofꦗ this season…"

Part of the reason for Dovizioso and Ducati slipping under the radar was down to relatively low-key performances in win♈ter testing.

But the Italian f🧸eels having the calmness and discipline to look beyond a one-off lap time pays dividends once the racing starts.

"Every weekend the gap from the rider in 1st and t🍸he rider in 15th position is very small," he said.

"That makes a difference also in the way you test. Because in the tests you ca🐼n see a lot of fast riders, but in the races it is always the same riders in the front, more or less.

"Because there is a way to make a test, which is without taking a lot of risks and trying to understan🐬d all the pieces you꧑ try.

"It's not easy because sometimes you see ಌa lot of riders are fast in a test, so you can feel 'it’s not the best day for me'.

"But you have to stay calm and continue 📖to work in your box, because the details will make a difference in the race weekend."

The first official MotoGP test of 2018 takes place at Sepang frꦡom January 28-30, when Dovizioso and team-mate Jorge Lorenzo are expected to debut the GP18 Ducati.