The Grand Prix of Qatar, the first event of the season, ended for Ducati with a third consecutive second place in three years as their best result. And it's again Andrea Dovizioso who brought her back after having, once again, played for victory until the checkered flag. Certainly, but we expected better from the GP17 and from the Desmosedici in general on a Losail track which has always been favorable to them. Only Dovizioso did well. Like the tree that hides the forest? Davide Tardozzi swears not.
He is one of the leaders of the official Ducati team and he is preparing for the next MotoGP event which will take place next weekend in Argentina. At least we must hope so, since the country will be shaken by a general strike. Termas de Rio Hondo is a bitter memory for the reds who were assured of a double podium beforeAndrea Iannone don't cut in two Andrea Dovizioso in the last turn. The first mentioned is now at Suzuki. And the second still in the walls with Jorge Lorenzo as a teammate.
A DesmoDovi who ran the store in Qatar. With his carbon fork he stung the kidneys of Casa Particular in Viñales to the finish line. But behind it was the desert, even humid in Losail. Lorenzo out of the top 10 and complaining of rear vibrations, Petrucci down on technical knockout, there is only Redding who was another Ducati rider in the first part of the ranking.
A situation which did not escape Dovizioso. But Davide Tardozzi precise on GP One : " this result in Qatar is a combination of circumstances. Lorenzo had problems, Petrucci broke but Redding finished nine seconds behind the leader ". So nothing to worry about. Officially.
Rest Dovizioso, who, without a doubt, currently has the keys to the Borgo Panigale truck: “ I said it in January” assures Tardozzi. “I have never seen him so determined and confident. I also said that this could well be his best season. I am convinced that he is in the perfect state of mind to bring back the best possible results ».
« He is determined and focused as ever, he firmly believes in his bike and his team. He’s calm too.” A character that asserted itself on the Qatar track: “Dovi finished second, fighting to the end with Viñales who did an incredible last lap. Even Valentino let go at that moment ».
« Maverick was the star of the winter testing and during the practice sessions he was half a second ahead. But Andrea stayed with him. He was the only one to believe it until the end. In the end, Rossi threw in the towel. But not Dovi ". Revenge at Termas de Rio Hondo?
