This day at Phillip Island will have put the teams and drivers to the test. The unstable and cold weather will have played its role of referee both on the track and in the pits. For Dovizioso, his place on the starting grid was decided in the box.
Dovizioso had every reason to be optimistic when directly approaching Q.2. Because until then, his career had been without reproach: “ over the last few days, we have worked really well » underlines the Ducati official. “ Our strategy was perfect and until the last tire change everything was going well, because in every session I was in the top 5 despite the difficult conditions.s ”.
But it all happened in a few minutes during the moment of truth in Q.2: “ during the first part of qualifying, I was satisfied because I was in the top three. But when I changed to slicks, I had a rear tire with too low pressure. I couldn't attack ».
« My goal was at least the first two lines. Starting ninth makes things more complicated, but we know why we are there and we are confident in our potential in any race conditions. ».
The most frustrating thing is that this setback resulted in being preceded by the Aprilia of Bradl. A situation little appreciated by a ducatist: “ For tomorrow, the warm-up will be essential because we are predicted to have a dry race. And we haven't driven much in the dry so far during this meeting. Anything can happen especially since there are very fast riders behind us, starting with the two official Yamahas ».
Ninth, Dovizioso is followed by a Hector Barbera who continues his freelance work in the Ducati factory team in place of Iannone whose return is promised for Malaysia, next stop on the calendar.
