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It is no mystery that at Mugello Ducati is looking for revenge and the first piece of good news comes in the form of Dovizioso’s front row spot alongside the Yamahas and ahead of a fantastic Pirro. “I am happy with my position and that all the Ducatis are doing well on this track. I think that a lot of us will be able to achieve good results tomorrow” says team player Andrea.
However, in the race we know that it’s every man for himself and the Italian’s mind is already… on the bike.
“Mugello is a track that demands a lot physically and no one can go 100% from start to finish, so strategy will be important - he analyses - The Yamahas are fast, but today I managed to maintain a similar pace to theirs with used tyres. I started FP4 with tyres that had done 14 laps and the level was good. I have never had such good sensations on the bike this year and I think I can stay with them.”
And then there is the Ducati super engine that can rocket you forward at more than 215 mph on the straight at Mugello.
“That is true, but it is not enough to cross the finish first in the event of a final dash, although our adversaries will most likely not be able to either - he explained - As I said, the Ducati works well here. We still have some limits in mid-corner, but we recover in the other areas and that allows us to be as fast at the end of the lap as the Yamahas.”
Especially in terms of pace.
“I did not do a perfect lap in qualifying. At the beginning I was tense and I did not have much adrenaline flowing - he admits - But in the second outing I did what I had to do, even if I feel more competitive with used tyres than with new.”
There is also the satisfaction of being the first Ducati and to have beaten Lorenzo.
“For every rider it is important to finish ahead of your teammate, but I don’t go into a GP thinking about Jorge” he points out, then adding: “However, it could also be important for development, so the engineers have certain confirmations.”
One would think that the Italian and the Spaniard have different ideas of how to proceed for the future. “We’ll end it here” Dovi replies.
We comply, maintaining our doubts and coming back to race predictions.
“In my opinion, Valentino is the one that has a little something extra and that does not surprise me - he says - Tomorrow we will see a lot of yellow on these hills and that is as it should be. I have always had a good relationship with Rossi, so I think that many of his fans are also happy with my results. I will also feel the support of the fans. I will never forget the emotions I felt when I finished 2nd here at Mugello. It is something indescribable.”
