Andrea Dovizioso quits MotoGP in 2021
End of the suspense for Andrea Dovizioso: the triple "vice-world champion" MotoGP leaving from Ducati takes a sabbatical in 2021 with the ambition to return the following season in a winning project ….
The MotoGP 2021 grid will have one major absentee: Italian rider Andrea Dovizioso, currently sixth in the championship on his official Ducati, tied on points with Franco Morbidelli. "Dovi" prefers to take a step back with the premier class to better bounce back the following season, ruling out alternatives that did not appeal to him.
- MNC of August 15, 2020 : Dovizioso and Ducati to separate in 2021
- MNC file: All MotoGP news
"In recent months, I have received several offers to become a test pilot and I am grateful for the attention of all these manufacturers. However, I have decided to remain free of any commitment for the moment", explains the native of Forlimpopoli (Italy).
The 125 cc world champion (in 2004) was notably approached by Yamaha to replace Jorge Lorenzo, who did not convince the brand for the position of development driver. This offer was rather attractive insofar as the n ° 4 knows the M1 for having driven it one season in 2012, with a fourth place in the championship. !
Dovizioso‘s analytical mind and meticulousness were also of great interest to the Iwata clan, starting with Rossi and Viñales who would need a serious helping hand to get Japanese MotoGP back on track! Especially since Dovizioso would have brought with him his knowledge of Honda (2008 to 2011) and Ducati (2013 to 2019)…
Aprilia? Uh, no way !
But the mission of test pilot did not appeal to the 34-year-old pilot, who had honestly admitted "that no pilot dreams of becoming a test driver". Another brand with which his agent has contacted: Aprilia, to replace Andrea Iannone or to become a tester in the event that No. 29 comes out of his doping case..
This track would however have been quickly ruled out by Dovizioso, despite the fact that a starting place in the RS-GP is to be taken with the. It’s not difficult to understand why: signing with Aprilia is like subscribing to the fund grid and the disappointments linked to lack of performance and reliability.
- MNC of November 10, 2020 : Andrea Iannone suspended for 4 years for doping
But Dovizioso says it: chapters remain to be written in his MotoGP career, in particular the one in which he would crown the world crown. "I have a huge passion for competition: my ambition is always to run and fight for victory".
Remember that the current Ducati leader is one of the few to have faulted Marc Marquez, even pushing the eight-time world champion to his limits in the last anthology laps. Past close to consecration in 2017 with his eight podiums including six victories, Andrea Dovizioso had once again finished "vice-champion" in 2018 and 2019.
2020 was the year or never !
This year, paradoxically, "DesmoDovi" was much less competitive while the absence of Marc Marquez opened up a royal road for him: inconstant and uncomfortable on his GP20, the transalpine quickly let this great opportunity slip away despite his victory in Austria.
The new Michelin rear tire and its redesigned carcass would be the cause of all its worries, disturbing the balance of its Ducati when braking where it is usually formidable. This plausible explanation is nevertheless subject to questions insofar as it does not seem to disturb the other drivers of the brand as much … including a certain Johann Zarco !
The stormy atmosphere in the team certainly weighs on its performance and its declining motivation: "Dovi" is in open conflict with Gigi Dall’Igna, notably reproaching the inventive director of Ducati Corse for not following his instructions to improve the Desmosedici. On the Ducati side, we rather question the ability of Dovizioso to take the final step to beat Marquez…
In these conditions, the: the announcement of the replacement of Dovizioso by Jack Miller thus intervened this summer, creating a strong emotion in spite of its predictable aspect. "Dovi" has brought a lot to the Italian brand, which takes the risk of handing over the reins of its program to two young drivers like Miller and Bagnaia…
A return to the top in 2022, really ?
"I will come back to MotoGP as soon as I find a project that meets this passion and ambition, with an organization that shares the same objectives, values and working methods. I have already started to develop a few projects with my partners", warns Andrea Dovizioso, who will meanwhile devote himself to his passion for motocross.
The Italian aims to participate in MX races to keep the combativeness and hygiene of life essential to high-level pilots, with a view to marrying a new a new project in 2022 to aim for the crown. Remember that several contracts expire in 2022, which will free up – good – motorcycles.
But Andrea Dovizioso will then have 36 years and a sabbatical year in the boots: even if that is all the evil that MNC wishes him, there is nothing to indicate that his candidacy does not seduce a team likely to play the title – especially if young talents hatch by then. "Dovi" may be offered moderately competitive handlebars and / or motorcycles in development…
"I am now focused on my end of the season so that I can finish in the best possible way," said the thoughtful, hardworking and respectful rider who will be sorely missed in MotoGP next year. Ciao Dovi !
Related articles
-
MotoGP – Interview with Andrea Dovizioso in 04th gear – DUCATI occasions
Interview with Andrea Dovizioso in 04th gear Invited as Site at the inauguration of the new Ducati Paris Store, Andrea Dovizioso was kind enough to…
-
Drivers and teams – Ducati and Dovizioso separate in 2021 –
Ducati and Dovizioso separate in 2021 The fire had been smoldering for several months but the rupture is now over: the official Ducati MotoGP team will…
-
MotoGP Valencia GP – Lorenzo (retirement): If we had caught up with Zarco and Pedrosa, I would have certainly let Dovizioso pass Victim of a fall during…
-
Races – Report and results of the 2018 MotoGP Valencia GP (Dovizioso winner) –
2018 MotoGP Valencia GP report and results (winner Dovizioso) Andrea Dovizioso has one last success in the MotoGP final on the Ricardo Tormo circuit,…
-
Riders and teams – Jack Miller joins the official Ducati MotoGP team in 2021 – Occasions DUCATI
Jack Miller joins the official Ducati MotoGP team in 2021 An official Ducati MotoGP will again be ridden by an Australian next year: after Troy Bayliss…
-
MotoGP 2019 testing in Valencia: Viñales confirms ahead of Dovizioso and Marquez The 2019 MotoGP riders were finally able to enjoy a day of testing in…
-
All-terrain – Andrea Dovizioso breaks his collarbone during a motocross race … – Used DUCATI
Andrea Dovizioso breaks collarbone during motocross race… Andrea Doviziosio broke his left collarbone during the opening round of an Italian regional…
-
MotoGP Valencia GP – Dovizioso (retirement): In the end, it was positive that Lorenzo was ahead of me Long corked by his teammate – to whom Ducati…
-
Drivers and teams – Andrea Dovizioso at KTM in 2021? –
Andrea Dovizioso at KTM in 2021 ? Among the pilots mentioned to replace Pol Espargaro at KTM if he left for HRC, the names of Andrea Dovizioso or Danilo…
-
2017 MotoGP Catalan Grand Prix – Dovizioso (1st): The decline in tire performance was the key to our success Thanks to his second victory in a row signed…