MotoGP, Tardozzi: “There’s a lot to reflect on for the future”

The 2020 season didn’t exactly go according to plan for the Ducati team. The absence of Marc Marquez could have been a great opportunity for Andrea Dovizioso but instead the Italian rounded out the year in fourth position in the general standings.

In addition, there’s been a big shake up within the Borgo Panigale team, with Dovi and Petrucci replaced by Jack Miller and Francesco Bagnaia, or rather the two Pramac riders, for the 2021 season.

“It’s not enough”

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In an interview for MotoGP.com, team manager Davide Tardozzi has gone into more detail, explaining what didn’t work inside the red team: “I don’t think a fourth place is enough – he said – The riders, bikes and team could have battled for the title, as they did in the three previous years, but that’s not how it went. And we should reflect on this for the future. This is why we’ve already tested with Michele Pirro at Misano; we’re working to be back on top in 2021.”

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The new tyre the main problem

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One of the main problems was adapting to the new Michelin rear tyre: “Our riders really suffered in this regard - he continued - so for 2021 we need to better exploit our strengths”.

Acceleration and engine power, no doubt. But there’s also another aspect that shouldn’t be overlooked: “We need to resolve, once and for all, an issue we’ve had over the last two years, or rather corner speed”.

“Dovi didn’t manage it”

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Lastly, the team manager talked about Andrea Dovizioso, who closes his Ducati chapter after eight years and prepares to take a “sabbatical”, far from the MotoGP tracks: “Everyone expected Dovizioso to be able to fight for the title this year - he concluded - but he was unable to find the right compromise between his riding style and the Michelin tyre, only managing to overcome this in a few races”.

Translated by Heather Watson

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