MotoGP – Dovizioso: “I can't wait to challenge Lorenzo on the same bike. For 2017 we can dream big"

Andrea Dovizioso is preparing to compete in the tenth consecutive year in MotoGP, the fifth with the colors of Ducati. The adventure with the Borgo Panigale manufacturer began as a real challenge, probably the most difficult in the career of the Forlimpopoli native rider, who especially in the 2013 season had to grit his teeth and find within himself the determination necessary to bring Let's continue with this project which is slowly coming to fruition. Significant from this point of view was the end of last season, when Dovi demonstrated that he can regularly challenge for the podium even on tracks that are not very suitable, at least on paper, for Ducati.

“More than the victory in Malaysia, the consistency with which we fought for the top positions during the Asian triptych was very significant: at the end of the season we showed that we have an excellent base for 2017. We are well aware of the limitations that still remain we have, the bike is definitely not one hundred percent okay but we're really close. I am convinced that if we work hard during the pre-season tests, we can have one of the most valid packages on the grid. The important thing is to stay calm, focused and find the right path of development. Only in this way will we be able to dream big."

Many experts say that thanks to the victory in Malaysia you have unblocked yourself. Do you actually feel different after that success?

“Winning in MotoGP always has a special flavor. But what really matters is how you win. It was raining in Sepang, it's true, but how I won the race was really important for me. In the last two years I have been very close to winning on several occasions, but I have never achieved them. The victory definitely changed something in my head. But more than the victory itself, it was the speed shown in the non-European stages that gave me a lot of energy for this season."

Who has the "worst" teammate between you and Rossi?

“Maverick will certainly be able to compete for the title this year. He was very fast in all the tests he carried out with Yamaha starting from Valencia, but he will have to be very good at managing Valentino: it is not at all easy to share the garage with a rider of his caliber. However, I believe it could represent a serious problem for Rossi. Jorge and I, on the other hand, have an excellent relationship. At Ducati we have a method that allows us to work well even in the event of friction between the two riders, but getting along is certainly an additional help. Personally, challenging a champion like Lorenzo on the same bike represents a great challenge that excites me very much. It will certainly be difficult but I can't wait to be able to compete with him at this moment in my career in which I am in great shape."

How do you expect motorcycles to change without the much-discussed “wings”?

“The bike will change a lot: the balance and set-up of the electronics will certainly be upset. One of the biggest problems, however, concerns safety: in the last two years all manufacturers have focused on the development of aerodynamics and at the end of 2016 the downforce generated by the fins was very high. In the first laps I did without it, I struggled a lot to find the feeling with the GP16 again. Without aerodynamics the bike wheelies very quickly, as soon as you open the throttle the front tends to lift, even if you are still leaning. Furthermore, on the straight the front wheel "floats" on the asphalt and it is very difficult to steer with the accelerator open. I think it will be very difficult for everyone to get used to the new aerodynamics of the bikes, but it will be the same for everyone."