Leader of the pack: Dovi weighs in after the Americas GP

There’s a new man at the top of the standings, and it’s a familiar name: Andrea Dovizioso

Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) is the new man leading the Championship after the Americas GP, having taken the first win of the season in Qatar and then two solid results at two difficult tracks for the Borgo Panigale factory in Argentina and at COTA.  Leaving Texas, the Italian weighed in on an Americas GP of positives and negatives.

“In one way I’m really happy,” begins the Italian, “and in another way not too happy because we confirmed in some tracks we’re still struggling like last year and we didn’t improve our negative points enough. But I’m happy with the way we worked this weekend because on Friday we were very far away and we took the right decision about set up and finished fifth, which isn’t too bad. But our speed wasn’t enough.” Specifically, ‘DesmoDovi’ has his eye on one big rival: “From outside it looks like Honda are much more competitive than the past.”

Termas de Rio Hondo and the Circuit of the Americas are, however, known tough tracks for the Borgo Panigale factory. And last season, Dovizioso had 30 points after three races, with no wins. In 2018, the Italian took the first victory of the year and has 46 points to lead the standings by one over Marc Marquez (Repsol Honda Team). So that is most definitely a positive.

“The positive thing is that we’re going to Jerez first in the Championship in a much better situation to last year, and we managed the first three races in a good way. The Championship is different to last year. There are more competitive riders and anything can happen in Jerez and Le Mans. Let’s see, we’re going home first in the Championship and the season is long.”

That it is. Would anyone have predicted Argentina? There are plenty more roulette wheels to spin as MotoGP™ heads back to Europe – with the next race on 6th May at Jerez. It’s carnival time!