Dovizioso: “We made a smart decision with the tyre”

Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team) did everything he could to take the win in the #QatarGP, and led for much of the latter stages at Losail International Circuit – but the might of the Desmosedici just couldn’t quite take Maverick Viñales (Movistar Yamaha MotoGP) as the last lap dawned. Gaining on the straight and then losing out on other points on the lap, the Italian crossed the line in P2 by the flag – for his third straight podium in Qatar.

Gambling on a softer tyre with a race distance shortened to 20 laps, ‘DesmoDovi’ believes he played his rubber right – crediting the decision as a smart one that at least gave him a shot at the win.

Andrea Dovizioso, P2: “The gamble we took was right. We had good speed before the race but we couldn’t have finished the race with Maverick. Also, there was a lot of humidity and for sure the race was slower, so with the soft tyre if you don’t push really hard you’re able to save it. Everything went really well after the crash of Zarco because when I was leading, I was comfortable and I was able to save the tyre. It was the only way to finish the race with Maverick because he had better pace and a harder tyre. At some points it was ok, but at some points the difference was too much. My good point was the straight - but then I was just too far back to take him on the last lap!”