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“Looking back at Motegi, I would have bet on Marquez. He seemed to have a strategy and we know what he's like in a head to head fight”. Dovizioso is not scared to speak his mind and acknowledge his rival's merits. He's also pleased to have been proved wrong though, having beaten Marc for the second time.
Andrea, what did you notice during the Japanese GP?
“I focused more on managing the entire race than the final battle, that was just the icing on the cake. I saw how fast I was, faster than I realised, I was really able to give it my all”.
That's positive.
“It's the most important thing. A win like that spurs you on, I now have more supporters and this really pushes me on. But we mustn't forget that we're fighting against Marquez and he's always quick, at any track and in all conditions. So to fight him we need to be equally fast”.
Do you still have doubts after the Motegi race?
“It was a strange weekend, in the wet, so we take the result with a pinch of salt. We made the difference by managing the whole weekend and this is fundamental for the championship. We have Honda, Marquez and Vinales to deal with, tough opponents, you have to be complete and working well to take them on”.
As you are doing…
“In fact, regardless of speed, we've proved to be up there”.
Do you think you caused Marquez to make the mistake in some way?
“I don't think he was under pressure, I think he just wanted to give 100% regardless of the conditions. What can you say to a rider that was a minute ahead of the second Honda across the line? But no-one is unbeatable, I don't want to belittle him, it apples to any rider”.
Do you think he now sees you differently?
“I think he's always respected me but he didn't consider me strong enough to be a title contender, simply because I haven't done it before. . I think a lot of people are now looking at me in a different way”.
The fans too…
“This is how the world works, in MotoGP too. If you don't win, you're just one of the crowd, even if you obtain good results. They only consider you a good rider, I'm used to it even if I see it differently".
Many are pleased when you win, in the paddock too.
“I can feel that, I think one reason is because I'm not a rider who tries to created trouble as some do. I'm calm, laid-back and mature when it comes to my personal relationships”.
Things seem relaxed inside the team too.
“Yes, we win as a team. We take decisions together and many people are involved as there are many details to iron out. The rider makes the final decision, because he has to believe in it, he has a big influence but it's team-work”.
Where do you still need to work, on qualifying?
“That's a detail that can sometimes be important, but it depends on the track and the conditions because we've only had a few races this year where you can push from the first to the last lap.It's a limit on which to work though”.
