While at Honda, they poach the spearhead of the KTM project Pol Espargaró, at Ducati, they prefer the internal kitchen, even if Jorge Martin will be the external ingredient. But the main dish remains Andrea Dovizioso. He has been within the walls of Borgo Panigale since the year Marc Marquez arrived in MotoGP, i.e. 2013. He is also already 34 years old. However, he showed that he was essential with his three vice-world champion statuses acquired over the last three seasons. But the crisis is there, like the passing of time. SO ? A one-year contract is to be considered. But for whose benefit?
Between Andrea Dovizioso et Ducati, a game of chess is underway. We are not quite at a standoff, but as each side is convinced of holding the other, we are more in a war of position than of movement. However, we must create room for maneuver to unblock the situation. And the sports director Paolo ciabatti offers one…
Speaking on Speedweek. com, he thus specifies to Günther Wiesinger: “ if 'Dovi' prefers a one-year contract, we are ready to talk. We will be open to discussions in this regard ". He also adds: “ if he prefers to have a deal for two years, he must be super motivated because his age is approaching 40. But honestly, we are available for such discussions ».
“For a two-year contract, he will have to be motivated because he is approaching 40 years old”
So, we wonder who brought this possibility forward from one year to the next... Does the mention of age mean that Ducati considers his champion at the end of his cycle or is it he who begins to think about the rest of his life, far from the Grands Prix? It will be recalled that Jack Miller was made official for 2021 with an option for 2022 only.
The fact remains that if there is renewal, there will be a historical fact: “ for Ducati it would be the longest working relationship with a rider from the same team ", Explain Ciabatta that holds the top spot. " This would be an important step for us. But as I said: we have not yet concluded the negotiations ».
On this loyalty to a brand, we will remember that the record is currently held by Dani Pedrosa with his 13 years at Repsol Honda. In the same team, Mick Doohan worked from 1989 to 1999 and Marc Marquez, who arrived in 2013, recently extended his lease until 2024.
