Enthusiasts, motorcycles and, of course, riders. Among the most anticipated guests at EICMA is also Andrea Dovizioso, who paid a visit to the Elf stand at the Rho Fiera Milano show. With Dovi we shared a long chat talking about the bad injury with motocross, the MotoGP finale, the arrival of Marquez in the official Ducati team as well as the dream of bringing the MXGP World Championship to 04 Park.
Andrea did not evade our questions, answering with the transparency and sincerity that have always distinguished him from the world of two wheels. The starting point is the accident that happened this winter with the dirt bike....
"What can I say ... we riders have this attitude, let's call it a disease, this beautiful disease of wanting to race, wanting to be competitive, having fun on the bike - he began - unfortunately there are also mistakes, crashes and consequently also various fractures as happened to me this year. In the end, though, it went well, I can't complain and I got going again."
Andrea, we are here at Elf, with whom this collaboration related to your park continues....
"With Elf there are many professionals involved in the project, who never stopped. It still takes some time for the work to be completed, but slowly it is taking shape. Having such partners is an additional asset for all of us."
What goals does this synergy with Elf want to take you toward?
"Now that winter is coming we still have some finishing touches to do, but in the spring there will be a chance to have the park available and open to everyone. This winter we will definitely do XC and after that we will work on finishing the restaurant. The World Championship? Never say never. However, we need to be 100 percent operational, perfect on everything. Who knows, maybe for the World Championship it could be done in 2026. Our goal is to get things done right, leaving nothing to chance. Should the prerequisites then be there, then welcome!
Let's talk a little bit about asphalt: what should we expect from the Martin-Bagnaia final duel?
"Let's say that now the situation is quite delineated. It is also true that in motorcycle racing the saying applies: never say never, because anything can still happen and we have to see the weather conditions that will be there in Barcelona. Also there is the question related to the tires that Michelin will bring. In my opinion Martin has the situation in hand and can manage, which was not really the case until Malaysia."
After Barcelona we will see Marquez wearing the color Red.
"This year Marc handled himself very well: some mistakes he made, but they were all mistakes in order to get ready for next year. He needed time to adapt to new situations as well as the bike. In my opinion he worked well and got to the end of the season by improving many things. Now he has a consistency of performance that is very good for Ducati, but he needs to make other small steps forward. The fact remains that Marc has created for himself the situation he wanted, which is one that is useful for winning other World Championships, while Pecco will be further tested. In my opinion, however, should he win, Bagnaia will dampen all the doubts that may arise around him, despite already being a top rider."
Pecco will have Marc as his partner in 2025. Is it a similar situation to yours with Lorenzo?
"The situation may seem similar, but it is different. Lorenzo was taken because there were people inside Ducati who did not believe in the riders they had bet on to win. As for Marc, on the other hand, it's a simple preference since they already have a champion in-house and the bike is already a winner."
What do you recommend to Bagnaia for cohabitation in view of 2025?
"Pecco has to do what he did this year, which is to focus on himself, his own characteristics and exploit his potential without going to look too much outside. Lorenzo's presence in the box gave me the opportunity to evolve and it was an advantage, in fact I grew. Also, having a reference like that is useful to improve. There is, however, an important aspect, which is to always be focused on yourself, because if you then start looking too much at the other you risk ending up outside."
Andrea, let's also talk about this Yamaha... Will we see you back on the M1 soon?
"I don't know yet. This year I replaced Cal because of his health problem. At Mugello this possibility came about and in the future we will see. I did a test in Jerez and there will be another one. Regardless of this situation, I if I do something it is because I believe in a certain kind of work done in a certain way with a certain approach. Fortunately, I am not looking to close a hole, but to have a project to create and do together."
What about Iannone instead, what about his race in Sepang?
"It was a very difficult challenge for him. With the changes in the last four years, without doing a test, it was unfeasible. I had a certain idea of how it could have gone, and in the end it did. The fact is that the current MotoGPs are completely different than they were 4 years ago: with the lowering devices, it's more about the technique than the competitiveness of the bike. Getting within a second and a half of the fastest today is easier, whereas to get to close that last second you need to ride differently. In the past the approach was different, you could make differences in your riding, whereas now you can't. Before it was easier for a talent like Iannone."