After eight years in MotroGP, Hector Barberá is taking the risk of returning to the intermediate Grand Prix category in 2018. With a Kalex in the Pons team, he will try to regain the glory that had been his during the 250cc era. Even if Moto2 is a different animal, he knows he is playing his last card in a career that Ducati has embellished as much as tarnished. Taking stock of his journey on speedweek, it enlightens us on a Andrea Dovizioso who actually owes to his sole work and his self-sacrifice the fact of finding himself a candidate for the last world title against Marc Márquez.
Incidentally, the analysis of the now former Avintia pilot sounds like a warning for Jorge Lorenzo to the success still to be proven among the reds. Because a Ducati has to be earned. The Spaniard supports: “ in 2016, I finished tenth in the championship with a fourth place in Malaysia and three other top 6s. In 2017, I couldn't do better than a ninth place in Barcelona. I'm not surprised because from the winter tests, I knew that the GP16 would not suit me ».
« With it I lose a tenth at each corner exit and when there are fifteen, that's 1.5s. I could have continued with Avintia on the same bike, but the ordeal would have continued. And you have to have fun on the bike. I would have had the same problems with grip and chattering when exiting turns. ».
A phenomenon which is not inevitable, provided you question yourself. On this point, tribute is paid to DesmoDovi: “ the Ducati is perfect for Dovizioso. He has the right style to drive it. He brakes as he shouldt”. For 2018, some are already predicting a new duel for the supreme crown between the same Dovizioso and the essential Marc Márquez.
