Sunday evening, many of us will regret their departure from a paddock which will undoubtedly lose part of its soul. Andrea Dovizioso and Cal Crutchlow, two pillars of the Grands Prix, we will of course miss in 2021, but how do they anticipate their departure?
The question was asked to them during the press conference ahead of the Portuguese Grand Prix at Portimao, but the two men, good guys, ultimately didn't let their emotion show too much...
Andrea Dovizioso : “I will miss Piggia (Alberto Giribuola, his crew chief), that’s for sure. He's a really good guy and our relationship has improved a lot from year to year. He is one of the reasons why we achieved important results and fought for the title because we knew each other and his way of working matched my mentality because he is an engineer. But he is closer to the drivers than most engineers and that has helped us and me a lot. Working on the bike, changing the settings, he understood a lot of things for me and we were able to really take a step forward, and for three years we were able to achieve important victories and a good result at the end of the year. 'year. I'm really going to miss him, but ultimately we live very close to each other, so I'm going to enjoy the time spent with him at home more. »
Cal Crutchlow : “I've had the privilege of working with great people: Great teams, great bikes, and being here for 10 years, on some of the best bikes in the world, it's been a privilege to do that. As I said before, ten years ago I didn't expect to do what I did, so I exceeded my own expectations. But yes, working with great people and teams. I don't think I've ever left a cubicle where I couldn't get along with everyone and we didn't have a good relationship. It's good that the circle has come full circle and that I'm returning to the manufacturer who got me into the Grands Prix. But yeah, I got a few of those wins. Brno is probably the best because it was my first. I was so far back at the start of the race and managed to come back, so I'll take that one. »
To a lesser extent since they will remain in the paddock, Pol Espargaro et Miguel Oliveira will also leave their team on Sunday evening.
Pol I will espargaro : “Mixed emotions this weekend. The biggest part I will miss about this project is the people, because the people part of the KTM story has been super good. All the electronics and mechanics who built this team from the ground up. There have been some very tough times, for sure, but as we are showing this year, some super happy times. I will miss them. I hope the future of KTM is as bright as it seems, but yes, I will miss these guys! »
Miguel Oliveira : “I would say that I also have a bit of the same emotions as Pol, but I think a little less because he is leaving a builder, while I stay say in the same house. Of course, working with the Tech 3 team was great, because we built a strong relationship in two seasons and, of course, it makes me sad to leave, but at the same time I'm taking on more difficult work, which is to be a factory driver. I don't expect it to be any easier than it is right now. I also fill a place which, as you know, is currently very “rated” because Pol got on the podium and set the pace within KTM. So it will be hard work, but I feel that I am ready for it and I will use this opportunity to develop further as a rider and to give good results to KTM. »
Photo credit: MotoGP.com
