Andrea Dovizioso, decides to leave (temporarily?) the world of Grands Prix after 12 years spent in the premier category. For any enthusiast of the discipline, this sounds like the end of a memorable era, Valentino Rossi ironically being the last survivor. Every weekend we admired Andrea,
Dani, George,
Casey et OK all on different machines. A little tribute to the discreet Italian had to be made.
Born in 1986, he made his first international career during the 2001 season. However innocuous, it led to a reliable contract the following year. 'Dovi' learns quickly and well. He won his first race at the start of the 2004 season as an outsider from the previous season (finished in fifth place). A new victory in France, then at Donington, leaves no doubt about the possibility of playing for the title.
An exemplary end to the season kills all suspense, Héctor Barbera unable to do absolutely anything in the face of the regularity of Italian. It's hard to imagine that this title acquired by fashion is in reality his last. With Team Scot, he decided to naturally move to the intermediate category for 2005.
The adaptation is very rapid, but a thorn in the side named Jorge Lorenzo appears a year later. However, the 2005 Rookie of the Year – wearing number 34 at the time – was one of the favorites. The two men have known each other since the 125cc days: in Qatar in 2004, they crossed the line within a thousandth of a second.
Another era… here at Laguna Seca in 2011. Photo: Don France
This unprecedented situation favored the Spaniard, who, thanks to his best lap in the race, won. Lorenzo in 250cc, was not joking at all. Dovizioso finished runner-up in the world for two years in a row, unable to do anything against the tidal wave.Por Fuera'. Psychologically, the Majorcan had the advantage and knew perfectly where to press to hit the Italian in the heart.
The three-time MotoGP world champion left only four victories to his runner-up during the 2006 and 2007 seasons. Two strong characters against each other in short, and a rivalry that will last over time. 10 years later, Lorenzo, during one of his secret outings, admitted that 'Dovi' had a grudge against him since that same time.
Both moved up to the premier category at the same time, but in very different stables. Official Yamaha for one, and always JiR Team Scot for the other. From her first race, Andrea demonstrated all her talent and crossed the line in fourth place. The season continues and the Italian impresses, being extremely consistent and scoring points in all races, Portugal excepted.
His podium at Sepang convinced Honda Repsol to sign him the following year. Replacing a struggling Nicky Hayden, he made a very strong impression and made his dream come true on July 26, 2009.
At Donington Park, he won his first career Grand Prix.
The following seasons are more complicated. Despite consistently top-notch consistency, he was sent to Yamaha Tech3 in 2012 and decided to take on the Ducati challenge in 2013. Since Casey Stoner, no rider had managed to make the beautiful Italian work.
This was not the case with “Desmodovi” either, at least not right away.
How long the wait was. For four long years, not the shadow of a victory to be had despite good performances aboard a weaker machine. From 2015, he responded and even became a regular candidate for the podium.
Like many others before him, Dovi struggled at Ducati. Here in 2015. Photo: alberto-g-rovi.
The rest, we know it. Unparalleled bad luck coupled with crazy talent. Andrea rose from the ashes at the end of 2016 with a victory at the Sepang track. He is, with Marc Márquez, the strong man of recent years. Three new second places in the championship, bringing the total to five.
Five-time world vice-champions are rare. Just like the Dovizioso pilots, passionate to the core. Dovi is kindness and legendary duels with Márquez. If his ability to win and kill races has often been called into question, he nonetheless remains one of the greats of the last fifteen years. This retreat is a bit strange, he still seems too passionate. We can easily imagine him hanging out in the paddocks or even wearing leather again in the future... Whatever the case, It's only a good bye.
Cover photo: Michelin Motorsport
