#FrenchGP Le Mans J1 Dovizioso: “The Michelin tire is too hard on the right side”

It’s a Andrea Dovizioso a little annoyed who has finished his first day at Le Mans. His French Grand Prix actually begins on a false rhythm. Only fourteenth on a track going dry in the morning, he finished the afternoon leader even though the track was wet. And with a faster performance than during FP1! Here he is thirteenth overall and still out of Q.2. But also with resentment towards Michelin…

The Black Series appears to be pursuing the pilot in Red Dovizioso. Jerez had not been a walk in the park and here he was at Le Mans with some setbacks and difficulties. Because this start at Sarthoise was frustrating for the Ducati official: “ In the morning, we did not benefit from good working conditions because the track was half dry and half wet. We decided to work on the two motorcycles which we gradually adapted to the conditions. But we fell behind and we couldn't pass the slicks at the end ».

A costly disappointment. “ Because of that, we are far behind in the rankings. However, during the afternoon in the rain, we were able to show our speed ". Certainly, but the leadership position then conquered is useless. “ This day was nothing special. I think all the other drivers had a problem with grip ».

A theme that opens a debate: “ The grip was not good on the right side. I'm convinced that after testing here in early May, Michelin stiffened the right side of their asymmetrical tire because they were concerned about its longevity. Only, it's too hard. This is why many pilots had problems ».

Clearly, Michelin is struggling to achieve unanimous support during this second season as the sole manufacturer of MotoGP. “ During FP2, the start was difficult, then we found the right rhythm. We were able to finish with a good time and at the end, I tried to enter the top 10 in cumulative times, but I almost fell on my last lap. I could only gain one position ».

« Now, all we have to do is hope for a dry FP3 to play an entry into Q.2 ". For his part, Lorenzo finished his day as distant sixteenth. It will be recalled that Ducati's best result at Bugatti is a second place, won by Loris Capirossi in 2006 and by Valentino Rossi in 2012.