Last lap setback for Dovizioso

Repsol Honda rider Andrea Dovizioso was on course for his second ever premier class podium at the Grand Prix de France until the last lap of the complicated wet-dry MotoGP race, which saw him chased down by his more experienced colleague Dani Pedrosa.

Andrea Dovizioso – 4th

"I’m disappointed because we had a good race, the podium was very near and then I lost it on the very last lap. So I’m sorry for the team because they’ve done a very good job throughout the weekend and a podium finish would have been a fitting ending. At the beginning of the race it was a really tricky situation. We had a fast pace in the wet even though we hadn’t tested in these conditions. I was in second place when I came into the pits to change the bike because the track was drying quickly. It was the first time that I’ve done this bike-change procedure and I think it works well. Our timing was was ok - though maybe we could have come in two laps earlier. Anyway, I rejoined in third position, I was racing for the podium and I had a good rhythm, but it was not enough and Dani came alongside on the straight on the last lap. I tried to close the door, braking hard, but he had the inside line and that means you’re in control of the corner. I ran a little bit wide on the exit so I couldn’t try to catch him. It was disappointing for me but Dani was fast, especially in the last four laps when his pace was in the low 1m 35s, so my compliments to him."