Aiming to start making decisions on the all-important tyres on Thursday, Zarco also thinks he can work better on the setup of the M1 following the lessions learned in Mugello.

The Frenchman is second highest-scoring rookie in an Independent Team in the MotoGP era since Casey Stoner debuted in the premier class, and wants to just keep adding points to that tally.

"The Barcelona round is up next and the track is nice, plus it should be hot." Zarco told MotoGP.com "The circuit has a new layout since the terrible accident last year and as a result, it should be much slower than before."

"Overall, the team and I will need to manage the bike well, do our work and start making a decision about the tyres on Thursday. With the experience that I gained in Mugello, I think that I can set up the M1 better and I will push to be as close as possible to the podium, which is the target." He added

"We achieved this in France, so I will always keep this ambition in my mind in order to collect as many points as possible."

Taking the lead from second on the grid and fighting for the win and podium throughout, Rossi pushed hard to not let the consequences of the crash hold him back, but he wasn’t quite able to hold onto it - fading slightly to fourth at the flag. Nevertheless, the points haul was an impressive one in the circumstances – and now there are a few more days to recover before the Catalan GP, which was the stage for Rossi’s most recent win last season.

"I knew that today‘s race would be more difficult than usual for me. While on the bike I rode well and I didn't have pain, but I was struggling a bit and I knew that 23 laps would be long and hard."

"I tried my best, I did a perfect start and I led the race for some laps, but I couldn't really ride the way I would have liked to. At the end I tried to stay close to the riders in front, but I did not have the power to attack Danilo."

"I would have liked a lot to be on the podium today, but there was nothing I could do. It‘s a bit disappointing that I'm not on the podium at Mugello, but seeing where I was few days ago, and the big hit I took, it‘s been a positive weekend all in all. Being here and riding in front of so many fans was a “gift”. Now we have just few days before Catalunya, another important race, so I will try to recover and be in perfect shape in Barcelona."

Key it may prove, and although not over the line first, the Spaniard extended the gap at the top in Italy - making for excellent reading ahead of his home Catalan GP at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya next weekend.

"I’m so pleased about second because today was a difficult day, and after the crash on Friday. Today, I tried, especially at the beginning trying to push, but Dovizioso was really strong today." He said

"I was happy with my bike. I’m a rider who always prepares for the last six or seven laps to push – but I’m also thinking of the Championship and today the twenty points are more important."

"Next is Barcelona and we’re in a good moment, we have a lot of setups in case one doesn’t work. We’re really motivated, we have a good level and we just need to continue like this and take as many points as we can."