The breakdown of a Honda engine is one of the most improbable things in MotoGP and yet, this stroke of fate fell on the helmet of a flamboyantly stylish Marc Márquez. It was at Silverstone and this misfortune cost him all his lead patiently built during the three previous Grands Prix, including that of Brno, the result of a good strategic move... Which cannot happen again since the procedure of the flag to flag has been changed. Before Misano, the HRC spearhead takes stock of the situation. To better emphasize the red peril Dovizioso.
Until then, he was esteemed and appreciated but had difficulty arousing danger. Since he recorded four victories acquired in style and the fruit of two doubles, Andrea Dovizioso entered another dimension. And in the crosshairs of regulars in the hunt for titles. Among them one Marc Márquez who was dispossessed of the championship lead in Great Britain to find himself second in the provisional general standings, nine lengths behind the official Ducati.
But the same Márquez also sees a certain Casa Particular in Viñales glue it back to four points. For many, it is the Yamaha rider who remains the greatest danger for the HRC resident. But the latter does not turn around. It is in front that he looks: “ Dovi handles things very well. He has almost as much experience as Valentino Rossi. No doubt he didn't have the means to challenge for the MotoGP title. But he did it in the other categories which allowed him to overcome many situations ».
He also knows perfectly a Ducati house that he has been working with since 2013… “ I know now that Andrea will be competitive on all circuits. He will fight for the podium at all the remaining meetings ". Will this consideration change the way Dovi was previously treated on the track? Response to Misano from September 10…
