It’s a Dovizioso can be more determined and eager to take back the collar than ever who awaits the return of MotoGP this year. It must be said that this fifth season at Ducati which is on the horizon promises to be exciting, with title ambitions displayed by his employer who has flanked him with a teammate of choice: Jorge Lorenzo. Winning your team will mean not being far from being among the contenders for the supreme crown. All with a GP17 which will however be less safe than the GP16.
Andrea Dovizioso had a good winter. At the end of a 2016 year marked by five podiums, including a victory in Malaysia, the 30-year-old driver's morale is high and his physique may be sharper than usual: “ finishing last year as one of the protagonists for victory allowed me to get through the winter break in good conditions. I had peace of mind and that's something precious when you're always on the razor's edge. Every detail counts » announces the Italian on GPone.
Fully recharged batteries that will allow him to meet the high expectations of his employers for this vintage: “ I finished fifth overall last year despite incidents with other drivers ". We will thus remember the clashes with Pedrosa in Austin, and with his teammate Iannone in Argentina. “ This time, we think of the title. We know at Ducati that it will not be easy ».
He specifies : " I don't think we will have the most competitive bike, but we know where we need to work to optimize what we have. We have faith and we will do whatever it takes to defend our chances against our adversaries ».
But why wouldn't the GP17 be the most competitive machine on the grid? “ The Ducati without its wings, now prohibited by the regulations, is more physical to ride on certain points. More than anything, it is less secure. Particularly during acceleration phases. It wants to rear up when the power is released. It is a problem. But it is a concern that will be shared by all our rivals, not just us ».
So Dovi prepared himself to face this new physical fight, which Pirro, from the first winter tests had detected: “ I am motivated like never before and I changed my physical preparation by working more on body flexibility ».
And this new teammate named Lorenzo, what does he think? “ In Valencia, his approach was positive. We will see more clearly in Malaysia. Nine days of intense work lie ahead and then we will be able to get a better idea. I have known him since 2001 and he has become one of the most professional drivers on the grid. But to be honest, it doesn't worry me. I'm totally focused on myself ».
Ducati will officially present its troops on the 20th of this month of January.
