For Ducati MotoGP team manager Davide Tardozzi, Andrea Dovizioso's victory at the Italian Grand Prix did not really come as a surprise. Mugello is the manufacturer's development circuit and long tests took place there, with the two official drivers but also Michele Pirro before the event.
“At Mugello we expected a good performance, but not a victory in Barcelona » recognizes Tardozzi. “ Dovizioso gave us a great gift because the races are very competitive. The level is very high. He deserved first place in the provisional ranking of the World Championship because he drove very well.”
« The objective is to be strong in each race and to fight until the end of the Championship. Dovi has the mentality to win in MotoGP, he already won a 125cc world title in 3. This year, many drivers are very close. The psychological aspect is crucial. »
Massimo Meregalli, Yamaha's team manager, was surprised by Ducati's two consecutive victories. “At the start of the season they weren't as strong as they are now. I didn’t expect two months ago that they would be so strong now.”
Meregalli also thinks that Ducati has been able to adapt its Desmosedici to the Michelins well. “ They worked well, but I think the tires play a very important role at the moment for someone who can use the tires well with their own bike.”
The level of competition has become much more equalized. “ It was easier to make predictions before, believes Meregalli. Now you don't know what to expect until the end of the first two free practice sessions.”
Davide Tardozzi, currently team manager of the Ducati MotoGP team, raced in GP 250 in 1984 and 85, then became TTF1 vice-World Champion in 1987 behind his teammate at Bimota Virginio Ferrari. He then won five Superbike World Championship races, and seven Italian titles in the same category. He then became team manager of the Ducati Superbike team, winning 8 rider titles with notably Carl Fogarty and Troy Bayliss.
Photos © Ducati
Partial source: tuttomotoriweb.com
