MotoGP, Dovizioso: "Petrucci aggressive, I lost points and that's not good"
"I'm happy for Danilo, and we'll continue to work together, but if I hadn't been responsive, I would have touched Marc, and it would've been a disaster. But we're intelligent, not like some of my ex-teammates."
Submitted by Andrea Rossi on Sun, 02/06/2019 - 19:41
Today's podium was bittersweet for Andrea Dovizioso at Mugello. Sweet because Dovi reached the top 3 in the Italian GP for the third consecutive time. Bitter because of the points he lost to Marc Marquez.
"It was a good race," began Dovizioso. "We all had trouble with the tires because there was no grip and, if I had pushed from the beginning, I would have paid for it. Danilo and I were very fast but, unfortunately, we didn't have enough to break away from the others. The biggest problem is still the center of the turn. Losing points here is a shame, but it was a test of strength for Ducati."
A crucial point of the race was when Petrucci overtook Dovizioso and Marquez on the last lap. A bit too aggressive?
"I was more worried than Marc. I prepared well to break away, and I thought I had him. Danilo came in aggressive , and I had to straighten the bike again and ended up third. If I hadn't been so responsive, I would have touched Marc, and that would have been a disaster. I'm happy for Danilo, but I lost points and that's not good."
After the Le Mans race, there was a lot of talk about the excellent relationship between Dovizioso and Danilo. Do you now regret having "adopted" him?
"Absolutely not," continued Dovi. I'm really happy for him because I care and because I know how much he deserved this victory. He suffered many years and has always been the "Calimero" of the MotoGP. He got where he is because he was gutsy."
So will you continue your work together?
"Sure. He helps me grow a lot, and I think we can both improve this season. We are intelligent riders, and I don't give him anything. It's always a give and take," said Dovizioso."I'm really happy for him, and I can also say that I have a good eye because my friends asked me for a prediction, and I said that Danilo would give it his all."
So, no problem with Petrux, even after today's attack?
"He and I are intelligent, not like with the other teammates. The relationship we have is atypical. What happened in the past was more normal. In the world championship, there are those with different characters and you can find yourself better with one and worse with another. With Danilo, we always respected each other and talked even when he was in Pramac and, at the end of last year, we decided to plan the season like this: helping each other out."
Despite today's great race, however, Dovizioso did not always seem at ease during the weekend, so much so that he was forced to pass through Q1. The reasons for these unclear performances?
"In today's MotoGP, it's all very complicated. There are strong riders being tested and you either have a margin or you'll find yourself 10th or 12th, even if you have the pace that's worth a podium. We work for the race, not to reach record-breaking times like other riders who missed out a bit today. However, I can't hide that I struggled at the beginning of the weekend. The track was in a different condition than usual."
The next stage of the championship will be Barcelona. How do you see the Ducati and what is missing from the GP19?
"Like I said before," concluded Dovizioso, "the biggest problems are at the center of the turn. Today, we realized this really well because Marquez accelerated less and braked like us. What allowed him to remain attached was the distance. He is very strong, but Honda doesn't joke around. In that situation, we have to improve because they are better than we are."
Audio recorded by Matteo Aglio
Translated by Leila Myftija
Petrucci: "We all agree the Race Direction doesn't do a good job"
Red Spring: Vettel, Dovizioso, Petrucci, it's time for changes!
Dovizioso-Ducati: the points needed to beat Marquez
A livid Dovizioso slams Petrucci for 'not a smart move'
Dirt and joy: Petrucci and Dovizioso together again in motocross
Dovizioso: "I'm 'unemployed' because of a lost bet"
Dovizioso: "I survived the Aragon weekend: points count in this world...
Dovizioso: "Sunday's result was good, now we need more speed"
VIDEO - Ducati says goodbye to Dovizioso and Petrucci: thanks Andrea and Danilo
Petrucci: "I already realized that being a friend with Dovizioso was...
Dovizioso on Domenicali: "Not a good idea to write on Twitter"
Dovizioso: "Petrucci has the talent for MotoGP. Ducati and me? We'll see...
Jan de Vries, 'mosquito' champion and Nieto's rival, has died
He won two world titles with the Kreidler 50, losing one title to the Spanish star in a points draw
Start of new BSB British Superbike season postponed
Opening dates of the championship and pre-season tests have been changed. Will start on May 29th-31st in Oulton Park. Other ten confirmed.
BSB, Glenn Irwin and Ryo Mizuno with Honda Racing UK in 2021
Havier Beltran's team has announced its line-up, with youngster Ryo Mizuno alongside Glenn Irwin with the aim of going for the title
Colin Edwards' Texas Tornado Boot Camp Returns For 2021
Only four public camps are available to the general public in the new year. Those who attend the racer camp must have previous racing experience.
America's craziest race: King of the Baggers becomes a championship
VIDEO - Following last year's exhibition at Laguna Seca, a series of five in-post events dedicated to the mastodontic cruisers, complete with bags,...
F1 calendar changes, MotoGP expected to change as well
The possibility of a Losail 2, followed by a race at Portimao to replace the Austin GP in Texas, has resurfaced
OFFICIAL: Adrian Fernandez to race with Max Biaggi's team in 2021
The 16-year-old Spaniard will take over from Alonso Lopez and team up with Romano Fenati on the Husqvarna
You can specify which notification you receive from GPOne.com
2021 MotoGP calendar: counter-moves being prepared for possible defections
Dorna working much better than Liberty Media in F1: only Argentina and Texas are in doubt, but replacements are ready. Superbike calendar planned to avoid creating problems with all non-European...
Marc Marquez: an empty seat worth 100 million euros
To understand the silence, you need to think about the costs. And how much the contract of 'Magic Marc', an affair for the lawyers and insurance companies is worth. But he might return at Jerez, or...
Agostini & Lawson: the move to Honda and the dispute over pastasciutta
Lawson's interview and his declarations about Agostini have rekindled the old misunderstandings between the two. Like that time Ago found out that Eddie, already in Honda, was still eating Yamaha...
Off the track, Jorge Lorenzo and Valentino Rossi: from the 2008 'wall' to teamwork at Sepang
GPone MotoGP, Bar Sport at Sepang with Carlo Pernat