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MotoGP, Tardozzi: Rossi's criticism of Yamaha? I don't agree

The team manager: "I don't believe that they have any less than us, also because up until last year they set the benchmark" 

MotoGP: Tardozzi: Rossi's criticism of Yamaha? I don't agree

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Yesterday was a busy day for Ducati. The team was back on track at Misano in preparation for the upcoming GP in early September. Davide Tardozzi was on hand in the garage and summarised the current situation.

“The pace that Lorenzo and Dovi demonstrated in the test was good and at the same time interesting at a track that has never been one of our favourites. Marquez is not here of course, he's the reference, but Yamaha is here and to be in front of them is definitely a positive”.

What are the aims, or dreams, for the second part of the season?

Dreams are the basis of life - if you don't have any, it means you're missing something. We know who we're dealing with, but our aim is to finish as vice-champions and aim for the manufacturers' title. As long as we still have a mathematical chance, the battle continues of course”.

Davide touches on the Ducati-Lorenzo split. 

Losing Jorge is clearly a problem, we are very sorry but we are also of the opinion that Petrucci can grow. Without comparing their two careers of course, as it's pointless to look back, and so for this reason, right from the Monday following Valencia, we will be fully focused on helping Petrucci”.

Attention turns to the statements that Rossi recently made, in which he said that Ducati and Honda are teams with a similar organisation to that of F1 teams.

I think it's a mistake to underestimate Yamaha or say they are not up to the task. Ducati has been at the cutting edge since the 90s, ever since an engineer was put in charge of the technical structure. Having said that, I don't believe that the other teams have less than us, so Rossi's words leave me perplexed. Also because one year ago people said that Yamaha was the benchmark and so it's strange not to believe this now. I understand Rossi, but I don't think it will be long before he's back at the front”.

Tardozzi's mind is already on Silverstone, and the path towards Valencia.

I'm sure we'll be competitive at more or less every tracl. Last year we suffered at Phillip Island, but with the tyres rather than the bike. So we need to adapt our GP18 to the tyres, hoping that it's not the disaster that 2017 was”.

Translated by Heather Watson
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