MotoGP: Andrea Dovizioso, “Surprised by all the affection from the paddock”

Andrea Dovizioso MotoGP 2016 Valencia Team Ducati – Andrea Dovizioso arrived in Valencia (first day of free practice starting tomorrow) after the victory in Sepang, a desired victory which not only made the man from Forlì, his daughter and the Ducati happy, but also many people in the paddock. All this affection surprised "Dovi" who commented as follows.

“When I returned home from the trip outside Europe I had a nice surprise. I found my daughter Sara at the airport and I didn't expect it. When I am abroad I contact her with her voice messages and she was very happy. After the celebrations in the hotel it was nice to return home and feel "lighter", this victory almost seemed like an obligation, as if we had to win at all costs and to have succeeded was nice. Then I had great personal satisfaction, I didn't think I had made so many people happy. Receiving so many compliments from opponents, from engineers, from Yamaha, Honda, was particularly important. It means that in recent years, despite not having won much, we have managed to convey what we have done. It was a strong victory, but we are aware that we have to improve to compete for the world championship. In the last three races we have scored more points than anyone else and the base is good."

When we talk about you we always talk about a "good guy", is this something you see yourself in?

“I like and don't like this phrase. In this world (racing, ed.) you have to be a bit of a motherfucker, pass me that term, to obtain certain results against certain opponents. However, this does not mean that being more aggressive on the track gives better results and I am convinced that if I did I wouldn't get more, there are various mental approaches, everyone has their own way of getting the most."

Can Ducati be competitive here in Valencia too?

“Last year it didn't go particularly well, but this year I'm coming in a different way, so I'm confident. A lot will depend on the tires and grip, but I think we can do well. The result in Malaysia gave us a good boost, the track is different here but the tires will make the difference as always.”