This post-qualifying TT Assen press conference brought together Andrea Dovizioso, Valentino Rossi, Scott Redding, Thomas Lüthi and Enea Bastianini.
In order to avoid any abusive journalistic interpretation, we offer you here a “raw” translation of the entirety of Andrea Dovizioso’s words.
Very good work in difficult conditions...
“Yes, it was very difficult for everyone today. Particularly because before qualifying, in FP4, there were many crashes and I almost fell because it was very difficult to manage the front axle. But, for us, this test session was very important to prepare for qualifying. We changed the settings and it was a little different for qualifying. But apart from the speed we had in the wet, it was very important to understand the changes in the track because it became dry very quickly, and our strategy was then to do a single exit. But after 2 laps I decided to change strategy because I had already had a good time and also because only one lap in the last run was better to try, changing the rear tire, and it worked.
Apart from that, I was also lucky to come out behind Valentino so it was quite easy to set the time because I had a reference (in front of me). »
You hadn't driven much with the Michelins in the rain...
“There are positives and negatives. For example, today the rear grip was very good. But it was difficult to manage the front, so, as always when the rules change, you have to manage different situations, and as I said before, FP4 showed us the reality of front grip and the rear, and so we changed the settings based on that, and I changed the way I rode the bike a little bit, to really understand how the balance was between the front and the rear. »
Then it dried very quickly and you must have been happy…
“Yes, I'm very happy with the way we worked this weekend because we didn't expect to have this speed. Our pace is not yet that of Valentino because I believe he is the fastest in the dry but we are very close, so that is very good, especially after a bad weekend like in Barcelona. So, happy with the way we worked this weekend, with our speed, and we still lack a little consistency to really fight until the end in the race. But very happy with this morning where I had a really good time, I have the speed and it is important to have the speed and to work on the small details for the race. »
How do you understand the evolution of grip which changes lap after lap?
“You mean when it’s wet and then it dries?” Yes, today was more about how to adapt to the track, than speed. Because during FP4, the track was completely wet, not a lot of water but completely wet. And everyone was blocking the front when braking. But during qualifying, there was immediately a little dry trajectory, so the way of driving was completely different and therefore all the problems we had encountered in FP4 disappeared; if you stayed on that line you could put more pressure on the front tire and use the potential of the rear tire. It's not something easy to do. It was the difference in setting a time in practice, and it will be the same in the race. But in racing you have to manage the tires and it's a bit different, you don't just have to attack. 26 laps is completely different than a timed lap. »
Do you think intermediate tires can be an option for racing, even when changing bikes?
“Yes, I spoke with Valentino and it's bad for us to have this choice (laughs) because we have more choices and, during the race, it is always difficult to make the right decision. There is always the possibility and, for me, in my opinion, a small chance of using intermediaries. Maybe that can happen here in Assen because if the temperatures are low it could be interesting because the temperature of the intermediates could rise very quickly, so you can ride the intermediates before the slicks. But it's difficult to make a strategy in the race with the mechanics (editor's note: no way to warn them), so it would be a big problem for everyone and everyone has to manage. »
There were a lot of falls from the front. Do you think there will be many in the race tomorrow?
“Are you talking about wet or dry?” In the wet, the grip of the front tire was not very good today. If it's really wet, not like today, everyone will have to deal with it, because a lot of riders crashed easily by locking up the front, which means the grip of the front tire is not very good , but yes, it's not the best when you have (doubts?) on the front, because you feel it a lot before falling but we also have a big potential with the rear tire, so... There is a possibility to work on that with the settings, and with the way of riding the bike. But it will of course be difficult to manage a race in the wet. »
