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“Right now I am not worried in general”, Andrea Dovizioso is calm and relaxed after the first day of free practice in Qatar. The first place time speaks for him and for Ducati and it was to be expected after what they showed in the tests in Losail a couple of weeks ago.
“I am very happy because I confirmed those sensations – he explained – Today the temperatures were higher but the Desmosedici did well anyway. Being fast helps, but I still need to work on the details, especially to try to conserve the tyres.”
The standings are very tight, but Dovi is still not entirely convinced. He is well aware that some riders will only put their cards on the table on Sunday.
“The value of my rivals is still unclear – he points out – It is true that a lot of us have a very similar speed, but in the race it’s always different. For example, today I had the good luck to be behind Valentino for a few laps and I saw clearly that he was riding thinking of the race. From his times, you might think that he is not as fast as he usually is here, but instead he is.”
So he will have to wait and use intuition and experience, but what is Andrea’s true level?
“If all the others are holding back, why should I say what I’m doing? – he jokes – Everyone has their own method. The important thing is working based on the race and not staying in the top position for every session. The qualifiers are tomorrow, but starting from the front is not as fundamental here as on other circuits.”
Some are worried about the front tyre life, but not even this factor is a concern for the Italian.
“Already last year the Ducati performed differently. A lot depends on each rider’s style. Sometimes other Ducati riders have problems that I don’t have” he closes out the subject.
The final question is on his three consecutive second place finishes in the last editions of the Qatar GP.
Dovizioso laughs and then reassures: “This year we’re faster.”
