Dovizioso: "We'll see the real MotoGP world championship starting from Jerez"

Andrea Dovizioso was in Misano to take part in the Blue Racing Day, the event during which the Iwata company introduces all its racing programs. This year was chosen for the presentation conference of the new Yamaha GYTR Pro Shop, which was set up in the circuit paddock and is managed by members of GRT, the same team that Aegerter and Gardner race for in the SBK.

Even if Dovizioso has hung up his helmet as far as racing on  tracks is concerned, his vast experience couldn't be wasted here. Last season, Yamaha had already started a program dedicated to training mechanics and engineers for the racing world. But what's Andrea's role in this project? He's going to be a sort of coach, where he'll be explaining how to work in a pit, how to interpret a rider's instructions, and how to apply changes to the set-up of a bike on the track.

We were also lucky enough to catch Andrea, just long enough to leave the garage, enter the pitlane, and then see him fade into the curbs at Misano, simply too fast to even think about keeping up with him ... even if he said he was going slow. 

You're an all-around Yamaha guy, by now. How do you feel about this role as a coach for young mechanics and engineers?
"It's nice that Yamaha thought of me. I'm glad about that. They know my experience and work methods. I've always been very scrupulous, so I'd say it's well related to these kinds of days. It's nice to see these guys, who are almost afraid, who have this passion in their eyes, and want to reach the top. It's a very long road. Today is the first shock for them, but I try to make them experience it as calmly as possible. It's a long way, but I think it's a wonderful experience for them and for me as well."

How is your adventure as an entrepreneur at the Monte Coralli Park going?
"There's still a lot of work to be done at Monte Coralli, until they finish the big construction site, which isn't mine but the municipal one. I'll try to open and take advantage of the park, but it's going to be complicated. On the other hand, when this construction  finishes, we'll be able to take advantage of this park all around. Then, in winter, we'll also do the restaurant. It's going to totally change. So many things can be done. I don't want to talk too much, yet. We're still in the process of finalizing so many details. But the great thing about having such a space is that you can do so many different things."

But when you return to a track paddock, how do you feel? Do you still feel that it's your world?
"Last year, honestly, no. I felt distant. This year, I went there with the same mentality, living the off-road so much, doing three workouts a week in XC, you live a different mental situation as well as a physical one. But, today, I found some other riders on the track, and I felt a bit engaged! I'm feeling certain emotions"

We saw a good duel with Melandri!
"I found Marco in the pitlane. I couldn't believe it. So I told him to do two laps together.  Logically, neither of us gave up! We were going really slow. We had to go together, and it was nice. I raced with Marco for such a long time, so seeing him from behind on the track, regardless of his pace, made me recognize his style, his approach to cornering. It had an effect on me! Then I also did a few more laps with other riders, pulled down some seconds, but always with embarrassing times. I can't get the times! I felt good sensations with bikes I don't know well, though. I never felt particularly good on road bikes. MotoGP bikes are narrower. A short guy like me really struggles on these."

Let's talk about the MotoGP. So you like it or do you think a regulation is needed that really changes everything from 2027?
"You make seem controversial! For me, the MotoGP is great, because it's all squeezed to the limit. They pull down second after second, so it's great for a motorcycle fan. Especially when one understands something about techniques and sees these evolutions. It's splendid. But it's always the same thing. You go faster than a few years ago but with much less fight."

We've seen some good duels, though.
"When there's a duel on the track, but it's only because there's tire management. Otherwise, the bike doesn't allow you to fight. It's a pity because, with the level of the riders and the bikes, the possibility would exist for a great ruthless  fight that, however, isn't possible. It could be more entertaining from a pure battle viewpoint, and the aerodynamics certainly affected this aspect. But it's always the same discussion. Wngineers try to develop to go faster. They don't care about the entertainment. They only care about going faster. Then it'll always be the organizer, along with the constructors, who can make these decisions for the future. But they're always all at odds, so you get into somewhat peculiar discussions."

Quick question: who's going to win the world championship?
"Impossible to know right now. I'm also convinced that the real championship will start from Jerez, because the types of tracks that have been raced on so far aren't truthful or they're only truthful up to a certain point. Jerez will be the first small, slow track where their sensations will change completely. From there, then they'll have certain tracks will make us really understand who'll be able to be more consistent, because there are so many who can win races, and also the world championship. More constructors are competitive. I see it totally open."