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Andrea Dovizioso moves away from Misano as the leader in the world championship standings. Reading this brings to mind two triumphant weekends at Ducati’s home track, perhaps crowned with podiums and victories, inflicting heavy defeats on their opponents in the fight for the title. But the reality that emerges is very different …
Reality sees Dovizioso as the leader of the world championship without ever having been hunting in Misano, with a seventh and an eighth place under his belt, which would have been two disappointing results to say the least in 2019 and previous seasons. In this strange 2020, however, these results are enough for him to take and then maintain the leadership of the ranking. Andrea keeps pointing her finger at the Michelin 2020 tire, claim that it distorts current values. But at the same time, being an intellectually honest person, he admits that right now Pecco Bagnaia is the only one capable of getting the most out of the Ducati GP20-Michelin.
Speaking to reporters at the end of the race, Dovi seems split down the middle: a runner who knows full well that he is in his current position more on the demerits of others than on his own merits. Márquez’s absence from the track gave him, without a doubt, the clearest opportunity to win the title before saying goodbye to Ducati. But is Andrea really making the most of it? The Forlì rider is probably asking himself the same question over and over again, while invoking the need to go against his instincts to ride this bike and especially these tires to the limit. Destiny is strangely ironic, because in the past, Dovizioso’s innate ability to handle tires had allowed him to score many victories. Today, precisely at the time that had to be his and his alone, the tires are the main rival to beat on the track rather than an ally he can rely on to launch his attack for the title.
You look at the ranking and you are the first. It might be almost fun to see how things go in the race …
“Looking at the classification today makes me laugh – Cenfirms Dovizioso – because it is difficult to be first in the classification going slowly. But this is what’s going on, it’s fun, but we’ve been good in a few races to take the points home. We continue working to improve and learn to adapt where we are not yet achieving it ”.
But being the first in the middle of the championship must mean something …
“We are halfway through the championship, but It would be better to fight for the podium in the next few races than to stay in front without really having the speed to lead the world championship. It is frustrating because we are working so hard to adapt to the new braking style that we need. On the data it is clear what is needed, but in fact it is difficult to apply everything. I’ve been a bit more consistent than in Misano 1, but I still don’t have the speed to improve the situation. We are not in a position to really fight for the championship. We are certainly in the right position to do it and we will not give up, because I know that on each track there can be a different story. In Barcelona everything will be different from today, we must always be prepared ”.
Dovizioso: “It is wrong to call this championship a low level, only the drivers know the reality”
Some observers think that this ranking reflects the low level of the championship without Marquez. what do you think about it?
“It’s wrong to say that this championship is at a low level. Just look at how close all the riders are, this can mean two things: either all MotoGP riders are poor, or they are particularly strong. We are always close, both in qualifying. as in race pace. There is a difference of a few tenths between the first and 15. How can you say that the level is low, also because we are talking about the same drivers who have won in previous seasons? Even then the level was low? In my opinion, only riders can speak low or high level, because you don’t know all the details if you are not on the bike, so you should focus on other details and not talk about these things.
But what do you think Márquez would have done in this championship? Would he have dominated or suffered like everyone else?
“I’d be curious to see Marquez on these tires. In Jerez he showed dominance, but in reality it means little or nothing because nobody will find out this year, so there is no point in making any consideration. Of course he was very fast in Jerez, but if we analyze things logically, how were his tests in Qatar? Very bad. Then in the first race, were you eight tenths faster than the others while recovering? Jerez may not have given us a real idea of its potential, but the fact is that these tires have created this situation. From the tests to the first race. For me it is logical, everyone can have their own ideas but these are objective data ”.
Have the Michelins of 2020 changed things so much?
“I’ve been saying this for a long time, these tires don’t work like I’ve done for the last three years. The set-up on the bike we’ve been using so far doesn’t work either, so everything is different. You have to have a different setup. and you also have to ride differently. You really have to ride against instinct, it’s not an easy thing to do when you’re riding a MotoGP bike. I try, but I end up not feeling good on the saddle. It happens to all riders in Ducati who were strong in braking until 2019 ”.
Dovizioso: “I study the data from Bagnaia, he is the only one who drives the Ducati as it should be with these tires”
But Bagnaia manages to get the most out of them with the Ducati …
“I keep studying the Bagnaia data, who rides this bike with these tires in a different way from the others. Brake less and less, apply less pressure and get into corners fast. It is something different than what we did before. She is doing very well and is making a difference. “
Looking at their rivals, the growth of Mir and Suzuki is something impressive. Are you a true candidate for the title?
“The Suzuki is very balanced, from what you see it is an easier bike for the riders, it allows them to be very consistent and also preserve the tires to be very fast at the end of the race. That is why they manage to” be so fast at the end of the race. race. At least it seems so from the outside. So Mir is a great talent, I’ve already said that in the past. Right now he is the most dangerous of all for the title, we have seen that for a few races. In Misano he stood out even more, let’s see how he does in Barcelona ”.
After testing it seemed that you had found the key to solving the problems. What happened?
“A cyclist must always tell it in a certain way. When you get kicked and then you throw yourself to the ground, you cannot be a cyclist. You have to keep pushing even when things are not going well and maybe even tell some stories. We are not just passing time; we are working hard but it is difficult. For me, this is all due to the tires. In recent years we did not have these tires and there has never been a championship like this. As a result, it is these tires that are creating ups and downs. Viñales fought in Misano 1 and then Misano 2 won, what does this mean? So it must be said that this is the situation for us as it is for everyone, so we must continue working and try to improve it. Of course, I am first in the classification with few important results, but this is the situation. This is not over; I have to keep believing. I can’t belittle myself for being too realistic and analytical, that’s not what we need right now. “
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