Michele Pirro, as test rider, is the red son of a Ducati team which sports the same colors. But they became less scarlet on this Saturday afternoon since, at lunchtime, Andrea Dovizioso declared that he would not do it again in 2021 with the Desmosedici. An outcome that became more and more inevitable as time passed and comments poured in. The couple was worn out and now new blood is needed. According to Pirro, this is the opportunity to start from scratch…
Andrea Dovizioso and Ducati will part ways at the end of this year, and the paradox is that since this outcome became official, both parties seem relieved. But behind the scenes, what really happened? Michele Pirro lifts the veil a little on GP One : " after eight years, Andrea felt that there were no more conditions to continue » begins the Italian. “ The results of these first races certainly didn't help and I'm sorry. Dovi and Ducati have done great things and I too have been part of that combination over the years. However, in motorcycling we are witnessing a generational change and even Ducati, seeing Dovi's demands, has decided to focus on young people ».
Really ? But then we can already designate bagnaia as Dovi’s successor… “ For what he showed, it's up to par. It goes without saying that if you take Lorenzo or keep Dovi, you will win the world championship, unless you have Marquez. In fact, things have to be built ". A construction that begins by laying the foundations: “ the problem is if you don't start, you never know. If you stay like this, then the policy of Yamaha and KTM focusing on young people is wrong ».
So go for the youth card, already adopted by Suzuki. But then, why talk insistently about a retiree type Jorge Lorenzo ? " Honestly, I don't know what to say about Jorge, although in this case we have to evaluate the whole " recognize Pirro. “ In this world, no one is waiting for you and if you are four tenths behind, like me today, if you are offside ».
“I know Lorenzo still has the idea of coming back”
« I know Lorenzo always had the idea of wanting to come back after the way he finished last year, even though being competitive after switching from one bike to another is not that easy. In addition, the year of cessation can have an impact. Lorenzo is very strong, but none of us have the magic wand to say he can come and beat Marquez ».
He returns to the separation from Dovizioso : " everyone has to do the math at home and if Ducati assessed this it was because the conditions were right after a particular season. Dovi took one step, Ducati another, but they didn't find each other ". But he admits: “ in the split between Dovi and Ducati we both lose, given that Andrea was able to express himself to the maximum with the Red and at the same time Ducati did a lot with him ».
By the way, there is in the clan Ducati a pilot who is still quite young and who also has experience. It would be the best of both worlds. He is French and it is Johann zarco...
