Japanese GP – Doviziosio (18th): "I made a small mistake which cost me dearly"

Andrea Dovizioso was for the second year in a row the last obstacle between the MotoGP title and Marc Marquez, finally titled at the GP of Japan 2018 after the fall of the deserving Ducati rider… Debriefing.

Andrea Dovizioso, Ducati (1st in qualifying and 18th in race) : "I am obviously very disappointed because we wanted to win this race at all costs … Overall, however, it was a positive weekend because we were very fast and we confirmed our competitiveness".

"However, we couldn’t tell the difference against Marquez so I want to congratulate him, because he deserved to win the title again this year. It’s a shame to have fallen because I did not exaggerate, I was just trying to prepare the exit as well as possible in order to attack it. I made a small mistake which cost me dearly ".

• Japanese GP 2018 : 
• MNC special file : 

Site analysis : By being dominant during practice, qualified in pole position and then installed at the top of the Japanese GP for 20 laps, Andrea Dovizioso delivered admirable resistance to delay the coronation of Marc Marquez, who should imperatively win at Motegi to cap his 5th crown in MotoGP (7th overall).

 

But the Ducati rider did not have the necessary resources this time to keep his rival in suspense, or rather out of breath! Evidenced by the relative ease with which Marquez followed him, well helped also by the important variations of rhythm of "Dovi" (up to a second of difference).

No.4 was actually at the mercy of No.93, who pushed him to the fault on the penultimate lap. Although he denies it, Andrea Dovizioso entered too quickly and with too much angle in turn 10, and this for one reason: to stay in contact with Marc Marquez who was accelerating the pace..

However, difficult to blame "DesmoDovi": the Italian falls with panache, wanting to resist until the end. The fact that he gets back on his bike to finish the race in 18th position also speaks volumes about his strength of character. Respect !

Once again the only driver to have exerted constant pressure on the world champion, Andrea Dovizioso can regret having missed his start to the season … Well started with a victory in, the n ° 4 was then disappointed by his irregularity with three white results in four races: in,, then by his own fault in and in. And meanwhile, either Marquez won or he finished second…

"Dovi" certainly raised the bar in the second half of the season, with success in the then (Italy), with three other podiums. But the damage was done: Marquez was too far ahead. And as the Honda rider shows the wisdom to manage his effort, it is impossible for the Italian to close the gap.

 

However, the Ducati has reached a level of performance and consistency at least as high as the Honda: the GP18 could probably play for the title, as the three victories won by Jorge Lorenzo on its handlebars suggest (, and)…  

The Mallorcan, who said, will also be. His bike will be entrusted to Alvaro Bautista of the Aspar-Angel Nieto satellite team, who will compete in World Superbike next year on the factory Panigale of the Reds..

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