Dovizioso Battles to 14th in Season Opener at Qatar
The 2022 MotoGP World Championship kicked off with the Qatar Grand Prix, where Andrea Dovizioso secured a 14th place finish.The WithU rider, hailing from forlì, displayed a resolute spirit throughout the race, pushing hard to recover from his qualifying position of 20th.
Dovizioso launched off the grid with a strong start, but his Yamaha struggled to maintain a competitive pace, causing him to slip back to 22nd. Despite this setback, the veteran rider showcased his resilience, steadily climbing the ranks and ultimately finishing just outside the points zone. Notably,he outperformed his teammate,Darryn Binder,who crossed the finish line in 16th.
While the result was respectable, Dovizioso expressed dissatisfaction with his performance. The 35-year-old, a former 125cc World champion, highlighted the challenges he faced with front tire pressure, which nearly resulted in several crashes.
“I can’t be happy with this,” dovizioso stated. “I had issues with front pressure early on, making it difficult to control the bike. I almost crashed multiple times and went off track twice. While I managed to regain some ground later in the race, my overall speed wasn’t where it needs to be.”
Dovizioso acknowledged the need for improvement, emphasizing the unique riding style required to manage tire wear on the Yamaha. He remains committed to analyzing the data and working with his team to find solutions before the next round at the Mandalika circuit from March 18th to 20th.
Dovi’s Doha Debacle: A Chat with MotoGP Legend Randy Mamola
The Qatar Grand Prix delivered a dose of nail-biting excitement as the MotoGP World Championship roared back to life. While Quartararo secured a dominant victory, one rider’s performance sparked debate: Andrea Dovizioso. the veteran Italian, partnering with Yamaha’s satellite team WithU, battled to a 14th place finish – a far cry from his championship-winning form. To dissect Dovizioso’s race, I sat down with three-time 500cc Grand Prix race winner and MotoGP legend, Randy Mamola.
Me: Randy, Dovizioso hasn’t exactly been setting the world on fire sence his return.Some argue his age might be catching up to him. What’s your take?
Randy: Listen, Dovi’s a tough cookie. He pushes hard every race, but let’s be honest, the Yamaha’s been a tricky steed to tame lately. Its not the Ducati he’s used to, and that adjustment takes time, especially for a rider with a particular style like Dovi.
Me: He certainly seemed to struggle with the front tire pressure.
Randy: Absolutely.Tire pressure is critical, especially in Qatar’s intense heat. One wrong move, and it becomes a bucking bronco out there. Dovi’s known for his smooth, precise riding, but the Yamaha seems to demand a more aggressive approach.
Me: Do you think we’ll see Dovizioso fighting for podiums again this season?
Randy: It wouldn’t surprise me. Dovi’s a champion; he doesn’t forget how to win. He needs to find that sweet spot with the Yamaha, and then we’ll see the real Dovizioso. Right now, it’s a question of adaptation and teamwork.
Me: Speaking of teamwork, what about his teammate, Darryn Binder?
Randy: Binder’s still finding his feet in MotoGP. It’s a huge jump from Moto 3, and he’s up against some serious competition. He’s a young talent,though,and I wouldn’t be surprised to see him making waves later in the season.
Me: Do you think Dovizioso can learn from Binder’s youthful aggression? Maybe a different approach will help him with the Yamaha?
Randy: It’s possible.every rider has thier own style, but sometimes seeing how a teammate tackles a problem can offer fresh insights. Dovizioso might benefit from picking up some of Binder’s daring, but only if it suits his strengths.
Me: Looking ahead to Mandalika, what do you see for dovizioso?
Randy: Mandalika’s a new track, so it levels the playing field somewhat. It’ll be a challenge for everyone, including Dovizioso. But if he can build on the progress he made in Qatar, adjust his riding style, and work closely with his team, I’m confident he’ll be back in the mix.
Me:
Randy, thanks for sharing your expertise. What do you think, readers? Do you see Dovizioso making a comeback this season? Is he battling against time, or will the Old Dog learn new tricks? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
