MotoGP Misano: Andrea Dovizioso (4th), “The feeling with the bike wasn't 100%”

MotoGP 2015 Andrea Dovizioso Misano Day 1 – Andrea DoviziosoLike the other Ducati riders, he expected a decidedly different feeling from the new Misano asphalt. However, the conditions today were very far from those of the July tests and caused many grip problems on the rear. Andrea nevertheless finished with an excellent 4th time (1'33.291).

“Today was a bit of a special day – he explained Andrea Dovizioso – the feeling with the bike was not 100%. Especially when you've done a test you already know what to expect, but today the sensations were different; not so much for the times but for the feeling with the bike. Nothing serious, they are small refinements but they let you do what you want. We need to understand if there was something wrong with the set-up, both electronics and bike, or if simply the track conditions are different and we need to adapt.
Regarding the new asphalt, the times have already been improved. The track is certainly faster, so much so that in the July tests we lapped at least 1 second faster than the old records. What happens, however, is that the tires work differently: in the past we have never had wear problems here, but with this extra grip on the rear tire a line is created in the traction area that doesn't make you push as before. We need to understand if the track can improve, which is likely; but at the moment there is this limit for everyone.
On this track, at the moment, we don't think we're in the battle for pole, especially due to my feeling which isn't the best, but if it were to improve we could fight for it."