MotoGP Interview: Andrea Dovizioso at Mugello

The last interview we had the chance to do at the Mugello Circuit was with podium finisher Andrea Dovizioso (before the race). The Italian rider on the Repsol Honda squad made one of his best starst in the race and managed to get the third place giving the team a fantastic day to celebrate.

After two podiums in a row the #4 Repsol Honda rider is now third in the championship, just two points ahead of his teammate and Mugello race winner Dani Pedrosa.

How do you feel about racing here at Mugello, with all these fans?

Andrea Dovizioso: It’s great, I love it here and a lot of fans come for us. It is not one of the best tracks for me but I’ll give 100% as always. I have a good pace, I just need a very good start and then I will be able to stay up front. This is a very demanding track, it needs a lot of energy and it changes all the time.

What part of the track you need to improve?

Andrea Dovizioso: Actually, it is a general thing and is how each rider understands the circuit in the best way. Everyone has his own lines; it depends on your driving style too.

What do you think about Valentino Rossi’s crash?

Andrea Dovizioso: It was a cold tyre, for sure. Even if we can count on tyre blankets and when you put your hand on it the tyre feels pretty warm, but it’s not only that. In the first laps you don’t have all that much grip from it, plus Mugello is track where you change direction many times and this can be difficult to manage when the tyre doesn’t have all the required grip. This is how Bridgestones are; maybe coming from the 250cc I can tell that Dunlops were better from this point of view but again it is just a matter of that behaviour instead of another one.

Does another tyre manufacturer need to be considered?

Andrea Dovizioso: Not at all, I think Bridgestone does a great job. We just need to keep an eye out and warm the tyre in the correct manner.

Last question concerns your racing number: you replaced the 34 with your current one, #4. You were born on the 23rd of March, why don’t you race with that one?

Andrea Dovizioso: I don’t like the 23 that much, I always raced with the 34 and I have also a tattoo on my right arm. I switched for the number 4 because I like it and I always enjoyed the riders who raced with that number. (Editor’s Note: The number 34 was also retired by the FIM in honour of Kevin Schwantz)