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MotoGP, Dovizioso: "We can make a play for it, but watch out for Rossi"

The seventh place time does not worry the Ducati rider:  "With a great start I could get out front. Valentino has the pace to be able to win."

MotoGP: Dovizioso: "We can make a play for it, but watch out for Rossi"

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With a seventh place time that ensures him a start from the third row, Andrea Dovizioso will be the fourth ranked Ducati rider in qualifying with Lorenzo and Petrucci doing better, respectively second and third on their GP17 machines, as well as Hector Barbera, sixth with the Desmosedici from last year.

More was expected of the Mugello winner: “It was a strange day for pretty much everyone, because we went back to the Formula 1 layout used last year - Andrea explained his result - and also because it is still hard to manage tyre grip on this track. The conditions are difficult here at Barcelona, but I am happy. My feeling improved today, especially with the front end of the bike. We didn’t do any really interesting laps in the afternoon with used tyres, but I have good confidence nevertheless and I think we have what it takes to be able to be at the front tomorrow.”

Your teammate is on the front row, three tenths from Pedrosa…

Lorenzo did a nice lap. I am pleased for him and he has my compliments. Obviously, I had hoped for better than seventh place on the grid, but I am confident. Tomorrow I will have to do a great start and, if I can manage that, we will also be able to have our say.”

Can you give us a prediction for the race?

Right now, the only one with a pace that is truly faster than the others is Pedrosa, but I don’t know if it will be in his best interest to try to run away at the front because the tyre deterioration will be like last year and maybe even worse. Our bike is not consistent and competitive on each track, so it is hard to foresee what will happen tomorrow and in the coming races. Also, the tyres are having a big impact on race results. Something different happens every time, so managing this aspect is fundamental for achieving excellent results. If we look at Valentino’s race pace, who was thirteenth today, if he starts well, he could even win. The result tomorrow is one of the most uncertain to predict so far.”

You riders raised some important complaints about the conditions of the track...

We are a bit spoiled. The tracks are often resurfaced after we riders request it, so considering the high standards of the circuits we race on, it’s true: Barcelona has one of the worst tracks. In terms of tyre wear, the actual design of the track counts, plus the poor grip only worsens the tyre wear situation.”

The “S” inherited from Formula 1 and used last year was also criticized, and this morning it was brought back: “During safety commission we decided that it will be fundamental to resurface the track and go back to the original layout, namely, doing turn 13, where a wider escape lane will be created.”

Translated by Jonathan Blosser
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