On the MotoGP podium at Sachsenring there was a rider with mixed feelings. This one was Andrea Dovizioso whose shy smile contrasted with the ecstatic mood of the two Honda riders next to him. While Crutchlow and Márquez were enjoying themselves, the Ducati official was already re-doing the race despite this third place won on a track that was hostile to the Desmosedici. A complicated intermediate position. Like his tires.
« If anyone should be frustrated here, it's me. ". This is how and spontaneously “DesmoDovi” expressed himself by getting off his motorcycle at the microphone of GP One. And yet, the teammate of Iannone was about to take the third step of the podium. Not bad, but it was still victory that was within reach: “ I think if I had stopped a few laps earlier, I could have gone for victory. But when the team asked me to come back, it was already too late. We should have come home earlier ».
A real regret. However, we are smarter afterwards because, in the heat of the moment, things were experienced differently: “ when you are on the track, the situation is different than when you are off it. I was trying to go as fast as possible without destroying my front tire and maybe I wasn't as clear-headed as I should have been about the strategy to adopt. A few laps earlier, I even thought I'd never stop ».
« To be honest, I came back to the stand when I could read my sign. There was a coordination problem because they first presented it to me too late, I had already passed. But when you are among the leaders of the race, it is easy to make such mistakes because it is more complicated to take risks. Márquez ultimately took advantage of his early race mistakes admirably ».
However, a strategy was in place. But it was shattered by the circumstances of the race: “ With everything that happened, the changing conditions that influenced the choice of tires and the communication problems, we had to adapt in real time. I didn't even know what tire I had when I took the second bike. ". But this choice was good: “ putting an intermediary was wise. At this stage of the race and given the condition of the track, we did not need a slick. Going from wet to slick is very complicated. Gaining confidence doesn't come by itself and you feel like you no longer know how to drive at first. ". A feeling experienced and recognized by Rossi. But who has never touched Marc Márquez who does not even want to hear about intermediaries in choice of riding...
