Even though we have been experienced and used the asphalt in MotoGP for 10 years, even though we have won two races this year and are in the fight for the world title, we can still make mistakes and miss out on our race.
This was relatively the case last Sunday in the Czech Republic where Andrea Dovizioso, returning at the same time as Valentino Rossi after five laps, he was forced to start again in 16th position before crossing the finish line in an honest sixth place.
Andrea Dovizioso : “Unfortunately, it was a complicated race and we were not able to choose the right strategy. Certainly, I should have returned earlier and taken medium slicks, like my opponents did. When I got back on the track and realized I was in 16th position, it was a little difficult but I gritted my teeth and pushed hard until the end to at least bring home this sixth place at home. Even the 10 points we bring home today can be useful for the championship but, to be honest, after the way the weekend had gone until this morning, we could have scored a lot more in this race. »
On Monday, the Ducati rider completed 45 laps during an IRTA test day which he finished in a very modest 11th position. Nevertheless, the Borgo Panigale rider declared himself very satisfied with a day during which he was able to try out his new fairing, so much so that he plans to use it next Sunday in Austria.
Andrea Dovizioso, 1'56.403 (11th), 45 laps: “today was a perfect day to do all the tests we had planned. We had all the time that was needed to evaluate the bike with the new fairing and we managed to test it completely and get some clear feedback. The guys at Ducati Corse did a really good job, because it wasn't easy to recreate the wing effects with the new rules, but as always, there are positives and negatives for the riding and the feeling. In my opinion it will be useful on some tracks and I think it could give us a good advantage in Austria. »
| Pos | Pile | Team | HIGHLIGHTS | Difference | Difference | Tours | ||
| 1 | Rossi, Valentine | Yamaha Motor Racing | 1:55.162 | 51 / 51 | ||||
| 2 | MARCHEZ, Marc | Repsol Honda Team | 1:55.180 | 0.018 | 0.018 | 49 / 67 | ||
| 3 | VIÑALES, Maverick | Yamaha Motor Racing | 1:55.335 | 0.173 | 0.155 | 64 / 69 | ||
| 4 | LORENZO, Jorge | Ducati Team | 1:55.542 | 0.380 | 0.207 | 41 / 55 | ||
| 5 | ZARCO, Johann | Monster Yamaha Tech 3 | 1:55.691 | 0.529 | 0.149 | 69 / 70 | ||
| 6 | CRUTCHLOW, Cal | Honda LCR | 1:55.768 | 0.606 | 0.077 | 23 / 48 | ||
| 7 | PEDROSA, Dani | Repsol Honda Team | 1:55.795 | 0.633 | 0.027 | 37 / 53 | ||
| 8 | Folger, Jonas | Monster Yamaha Tech 3 | 1:55.830 | 0.668 | 0.035 | 41 / 48 | ||
| 9 | IANNON, Andrew | Team SUZUKI ECSTAR | 1:56.123 | 0.961 | 0.293 | 41 / 47 | ||
| 10 | Espargaro, Aleix | Aprilia Racing Team Gresini | 1:56.263 | 1.101 | 0.140 | 35 / 51 | ||
| 11 | DOVIZIOSO, Andrew | Ducati Team | 1:56.403 | 1.241 | 0.140 | 34 / 45 | ||
| 12 | RABAT, Tito | EG 0,0 Marc VDS | 1:56.535 | 1.373 | 0.132 | 68 / 76 | ||
| 13 | MILLER, Jack | EG 0,0 Marc VDS | 1:56.634 | 1.472 | 0.099 | 37 / 47 | ||
| 14 | Rins, Alex | Team SUZUKI ECSTAR | 1:56.637 | 1.475 | 0.003 | 61 / 69 | ||
| 15 | ESPARGARÓ, Pol | Red Bull KTM Factory Racing | 1:56.668 | 1.506 | 0.031 | 39 / 60 | ||
| 16 | SMITH, Bradley | Red Bull KTM Factory Racing | 1:56.976 | 1.814 | 0.308 | 43 / 51 | ||
| 17 | LOWES, Sam | Aprilia Racing Team Gresini | 1:57.851 | 2.689 | 0.875 | 18 / 26 | ||
| 18 | TSUDA, Takuya | Team SUZUKI ECSTAR | 1:59.749 | 4.587 | 1.898 | 25 / 51 |
