MotoGP Sepang J1 Test: Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati/11th) warns about the new Michelin rear tire

At Ducati, we like new things. And with the GP20, we have its share of innovations. A new frame, a further optimized engine, all with undoubtedly more advanced electronics, not to mention the aerodynamic aspect of things. But in this first of three days of testing at Sepang which marks the start of MotoGP this year, the men from Borgo Panigale discovered that they had to concentrate on something more down to earth: the new Michelin rear tire. Andrea Dovizioso had warned of the importance of this new feature. And events prove him right...

At Ducati, it's not yet on fire, it doesn't smell like it's scorched yet, but we'll have to review the plans. With the eleventh beat of Dovizioso, the fourteenth of Petrucci or even the 17^e de bagnaia, we must be convinced of a modest start for the Italian brand. The latter nevertheless consoles herself with the provision of Jack Miller, fifth. However, it is DesmoDovi which really takes stock of the situation. After just 35 laps, he finished the first day of testing after the winter break with a lap time of 1'59,666 min in 11th place. He was 0,721 seconds off the best time of the day set by the Petronas–Yamaha rider fabio quartararo.

« It was a typical first day of testing of the year “, declared the three-time MotoGP world vice-champion. “ The bike is not that different, but there were still various changes, little things that had to be fixed… And you lose time with that. It's always good, because these are things that could have happened later. But we really didn't do much today. We didn't have a chance to try some things and test a lot. »

« I hope that tomorrow we will find good conditions to start working with the tires. Because they are different ". Dovi refers to the new Michelin rear tire. “ As a pilot, you have to drive differently. I noticed this in the tests we did, but not here. The bike also needs to be tuned differently. We'll see how much room there is to improve. But there is a lot to do in this area and today we did not have time. Then there are the different things we want to try. But the tire becomes a crucial aspect to work on because it will make the difference »

During tests in November at Ducati at Valencia and Jerez, everything was still on the new chassis, but there will be no more comparative tests at Sepang: “ we don't have the previous year's chassis here, we made a decision “, said the 33-year-old Italian. “ We have what we have – and we must make the best use of it. Like I said, a lot has to do with the tires and the different parts we have to try. Nothing big, but if we make the right decisions and put everything together, you can pretty much make things better. »

Dovizioso is convinced of the choice of chassis: “ clearly there was no alternative and there were small improvements. But as always, if you choose a different chassis – and it is very different – you need to know more. You understand some things right away, but after that there may still be room for improvement. Sometimes it's big, sometimes it's small. But there was no alternative and no reason not to choose him. »

And the new engine? Gigi Dall'Igna spoke about more power during the GP20 presentation. “ The engine is good, but I haven't ridden with other riders to understand it in detail. However, we don't have much more power compared to last year. You don't notice much, also because the difference only appears in fifth and sixth gear ».

There is still work to be done at Ducati and in particular with this rear tire which could well shake things up this season…

MotoGP Test Sepang J1: times