The press conference ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix brought together Andrea Dovizioso, Valentino Rossi, Álex Rins, Marc Marquez, Jack Miller and Jaume Masiá.
As usual, we report here the raw words of Andrea Dovizioso, without the slightest journalistic interpretation.
Saturday evening in Austin, you did not expect to arrive in Jerez at the top of the championship... And today, I hope that your experience with the white and black horses has also given you power...
Andrea Dovizioso : “yes, today was a fun and beautiful day, but I was very close to the horses and I was a little worried (laughs). But the photos are very beautiful. Yes, I'm happy with the final result in Austin because we struggled a bit on Saturday to set a time. We started way back but I had a good start and was able to come back. I'm happy to arrive here with this situation in the championship: It shows that there are a lot of fast drivers and I think that there are more than Marc and I fighting for the title, compared to the past 2 years. So it will be even harder this season, but I feel more confident than last year and I think we can be more competitive. But in Jerez, you never know! Last year our speed in the race was very good, much better than in the past, but this year the surface is completely different and so it will affect everyone a lot. We will see if it affects us in a positive or negative way (smile).”
Last year you fought for the podium. Do you think you will be as competitive this year?
“I think it will be different this year here, because the situation is different, but the crucial point will be the surface. So we can’t know, but I don’t see why we wouldn’t be competitive here.”
Dani Pedrosa will have a turn to his name tomorrow. What do you think ?
“I agree with both (Valentino Rossi and Marc Márquez). If something special happened in a corner then maybe it's good to think about giving a name, but it sounds a little strange to have the name of one of the best drivers in a corner . I mean, for example, turn number 2 at Phillip Island for Casey, maybe that, there's an important reason because he could go through that turn in a particular way. Other than that, it seems strange. I’m not against it, but for me it’s strange.”
You know what it's like to leave Yamaha for another bike. What is your opinion on the Zarco situation?
“You change bikes, normally the change is big. Very large. But every bike has different features and a different story, and I can't know the real story of the KTM. So I do not know. I think everyone expected a little more from Zarco, but maybe this shows the reality because the level in MotoGP is very, very high. This also confirms that Yamaha, during the last 2 years, have made good results but have also struggled a little compared to the past, because the level is very high, everyone works very hard and development is constant. So what happens is quite normal because when you use a motorcycle, from a single manufacturer, you think you know more than you really know about other motorcycles. And until you're on another motorcycle, it's impossible to truly understand it. This happened to me and it happens to almost every other driver. And that's normal, Yamaha and KTM motorcycles are completely different. I think he needs time. Of course, KTM is not at the moment at the level of Yamaha or other bikes, so that’s normal and that’s the reality of MotoGP.”
Yesterday marked 25 years since the death of Ayrton Senna. What did this great pilot leave you?
“He was a special driver and everyone loved him. I think, because of the way he drives, but also the way he lives. I was very young and I remember it being a really bad day. But that is unfortunately a part of sport. At that time, cars were unfortunately more dangerous than now, and in this kind of accident there was nothing you could do. Luckily they changed the car rules after that and improved safety a lot. Unfortunately, that's how it works. But he was incredible, and for everyone! ".
Social media question: what advice would you give to Jaume Masiá?
“I'm perhaps the worst rider to ask for advice on this track because I've never had a MotoGP podium there, so…(laughs).”
Question from social networks: What is your favorite part of the circuit?
“I don’t really have one but for me the best one is turn 4.”
Photo credit: MotoGP.com
