Once the arrival of Jorge Lorenzo made official for 2017, Ducati had to finish 2016 as best as possible with two riders, one of whom certainly had to give up his place. A difficult choice when reading the simple results. On the one hand Andrea Iannone claiming one victory and four podiums. The other Andrea Dovisioso who also achieved his success while boasting five podiums. It is him that Ducati decided to keep. Thanks to this additional presence in the leading trio? According to Paolo Ciabatti, it was rather the character that cut the Gordian knot.
Choose between Iannone et Dovizioso officially hasn't been easy for Ducati. On speedweek, the sports director Paolo Ciabbati declared on the subject: “ it was complicated to decide. Iannone is a very fast rider and it was us who put him in MotoGP and brought him to this level. It's always sad to see someone leave, but he will be a hell of a challenger on the Suzuki. We wish him the best and life goes on ».
That said, most of the decision was apparently taken after a Argentine Grand Prix upon arrival marked by the suicide attack of Iannone third on Dovizoso second in the last corner. A maneuver ended with a collision between teammates and a guaranteed podium for Ducati. Professional misconduct: we always have to deal with the different character and lifestyles of the drivers in a team » explains the same Ciabatta.
He pursues : " the two Andreas were completely different from this point of view. The incident in Argentina would have shaken any team. But the essential was not called into question in the team. It was certainly not perfect because of this incident, and there were other things as well until Mugello. There was palpable tension and their relationship had nothing to do with that of 2015. It was really cold between them, but they behaved appropriately. We were able to work with both without problem ».
The end of recess was therefore whistled by Ducati during the Italian Grand Prix. A sensitive deadline where there was no question of seeing two Italians on two Italian motorcycles eliminate each other for the count in front of the Italian public. Nevertheless Iannone was scuttled in its finale at Termas de Rio Hondo. It will be noted that Ciabatta takes care to avoid incidents between the same Iannone et Lorenzo en Catalonia. But it is the two victims of Joe the Maniac who find themselves in red today.
A duo now as it should be according to Ciabatta : " we have a balanced driver duo, two competitors able to fight for the podium at each Grand Prix. Dovi defeated the Indian sign in Malaysia and he knows he can win with the Ducati. He is motivated like never before. They will get along very well. For this reason, I consider our team one of the best in MotoGP ". For his part, Iannone will be the only leader of the Suzuki structure who will at the same time take care of maturing the beginner alex rins.
