In this Qatar Grand Prix marked by a victory of Dovizioso snatched in front Márquez and also by a platoon of fifteen pilots united in fifteen seconds, there was a variable about which we spoke very little… And yet, it was poison for the tenors who feared having to upset their strategy because of it. Who ? The couple formed by Kidneys and the Suzuki. Which had to be neutralized...
At the arrival, Kidneys regretted that his adversaries had played with him like a cat with a mouse. Every time the Suzuki rider tried to lead the race, Dovizioso used the power of the Ducati to take back control. But it was not by vice. Rather out of necessity! Because the Spaniard with the Suzuki was a real danger: “ I expected Rins to be strong, even though on Saturday he fell twice. He is so good at racing and his speed in the middle of the corners is really annoying! » commented the provisional leader of the championship.
« I think his bike is the complete opposite of mine. I can accelerate so hard that I can be very fast on the straight, but in the middle of the corner I struggle a lot ". A difference which could have been fatal to the GP19 driver. For while he was in the lead, Kidneys wanted to increase the pace to a level that Dovi deemed unsustainable over the distance of the race: “ I wanted to stop him every time he took the lead, because it was too early to attack. No one can ride hard the whole race with the rear tire. So I think he started pushing too early. I was able to stop him and continue saving the tire and it was a perfect strategy to fight with Marc Márquez on the last lap ».
Looking at the gaps which are, to say the least, tight in the rankings for this first meeting of the season, Dovizioso commented: “I think the current MotoGP is really different from the past. Valentino finished in fifth place at 0.6″. I don't think anyone wants to race the fastest. Especially because you can find yourself at the end of the race in a very bad situation ».
« So, I think the best strategy is to try to be ready at the right time. I think that's what I did. I saved the tire a lot during the race. That's why I stopped Rins every time. Because to follow him, I would have had to use the rear tire. This is why the differences are so small. MotoGP is different now, I think ».
Still, this Suzuki will have to be monitored. Cal Crutchlow, from the top of his Honda, also smelled the danger GSX-RR… “ The Suzuki is strong. Without a doubt. But I think the Honda is stronger. The Suzuki manages the tire very well, so if it is in front of us you have to push a lot more to be with them. Their turning speed is phenomenal. And that means that if our bike doesn't go through the corner as quickly, we have to accelerate sooner and therefore stress the tire to stay in contact with them. Mir, eighth and Rins fourth rode well ».
