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Don’t let the ninth place fool you. This is the message that Andrea Dovizioso wants to send at the end of qualifying. The mixed conditions certainly did not help the Italian, but he is particularly confident for the race because the Ducati is ready to astonish in the rain.
“Unfortunately, I was unable to take full advantage of the bike and tyres in the afternoon – the Italian admits – The conditions were difficult and different from yesterday. Most of all, it was complicated to have to interpret them quickly – he added – In any case, I am competitive and at the same time confident for the race, even if starting from the third row will not be a limit.”
During the qualifying session there were those who took a bit of a risk, like Marc with the slicks.
“I was surprised to see Rossi with slicks – Dovi joked – I said ‘Mamma mia’. Marc had already done a great time and he knew that it would be difficult to do better. I did not use them because I didn’t have the track under control. Plus, on turn 9 I almost went off track.”
Andrea will start from the ninth spot on the grid, but this does not seem to worry him too much.
“When you start from behind, anything can happen – he commented – but if it is a wet race, I don’t see such big limits. Also, Motegi is a peculiar track where anything can happen.”
He also has a comment on the probable tyre choice for the race.
“Today I used practically all of them – he recalled – I would say to opt for the soft front tyre as we have always done and medium on the rear. Among other things, the soft one does not wear.”
With the water, the race on Sunday could be a crapshoot.
“We are fast and that is clear – he concluded – With yesterday’s conditions we can have a say. Jorge is also very competitive, as is Pedrosa. In the wet, I wouldn’t discount Valentino and Zarco either.”
If Dovizioso must settle for the ninth place time, in the Ducati camp Jorge Lorenzo was the best, bringing home a nice fifth place time. The Majorcan will start from the second row with Aleix Espargaró’s Aprilia on his left.
“Before the qualifiers we had never encountered these conditions – said the Borgo Panigale standard-bearer – In any case, we managed to be competitive, although we had to figure out where the limit was in a very short amount of time. The position on the starting grid is definitely positive.”
Lorenzo also hopes that the weather will lend a hand, to the point that he is almost ready to do a rain dance. Obviously we’re joking.
“With the extra soft tyre I showed that I am fast, so I am confident for the race tomorrow – he commented – Unfortunately, in the finale the track did not dry out entirely, but tomorrow more water there is, the better it will be for us.”
He was also surprised at the choice by Rossi and Marquez to rely on slicks.
“They decided to try that tyre and maybe they thought that the track would dry out, even though there were various turns, like five, which were particularly treacherous.”
The number 99 rider is already thinking about tomorrow and the tyre choice.
“Everything will depend on the quantity of water – he concluded – We will certainly need to focus on the electronics, finding the right setup. As I said, if it rains, it will be better for us.”
