Dovi leaving Ducati at the end of 2020

Keshav · Aug 18, 2020

mjpartyboy said:
Dovi already had his chance with Repsol Honda, so doubt they would have him back.

It's not as if Honda dumped him because they were dissatisfied. He was with the Repsol team when they were pulling out the big guns financially by fielding three Respol factory riders in order hedge their bets. Dovi's contract specified him having to meet specific goals in exchange for a guarantee of another year on a full factory bike, and Dovi met and surpassed his contractual agreement. But feckless HRC double-crossed him and just bought out his contract. If anything, it'd be Dovi who'd be wary of going back to Honda. But he's more experienced now and would doubtless know what to specify in any new contract and a proper paycheck soothes a lot of hard feelings.

michaelm · Aug 18, 2020

Keshav said:
It's not as if Honda dumped him because they were dissatisfied. He was with the Repsol team when they were pulling out the big guns financially by fielding three Respol factory riders in order hedge their bets. Dovi's contract specified him having to meet specific goals in exchange for a guarantee of another year on a full factory bike, and Dovi met and surpassed his contractual agreement. But feckless HRC double-crossed him and just bought out his contract. If anything, it'd be Dovi who'd be wary of going back to Honda. But he's more experienced now and would doubtless know what to specify in any new contract and a proper paycheck soothes a lot of hard feelings.

They had won a single title in 11 years and Stoner became available basically. Honda wanted Dovi to ride for one of the satellite teams but he insisted they fully honour his contract. It would be ironic if they now need him more than he needs them, not that even if I wasn't a fan you can really blame Honda for wanting Stoner in their then current circumstances.

His current situation is interesting. I guess he might have decided he would retire or sit out rather than be disrespected, but you have to wonder if he has another firm offer.

Bern1 · Aug 18, 2020

Dovi, Dovi. I mean sure, he’s a good racer, can manage his tires, has decent racecraft, etc. etc. On his day, he can win. Sort of like Pedrosa. If he’s on a team with Petrucci, he’ll win more often.

However, if he’s on a team with a Stoner or a Lorenzo, he’s going to win less often. I don’t recall him turning any heads at Honda. He’s a respectable journeyman and those guys have a role to play.

Whatever went on between him and Ducati behind the scenes, it looks like it’s worked out for everybody without public bad feelings. it’s time for him to retire and for Ducati to get some new blood in there. A rider who will consistently gun for the win. Not just when it won’t really count.

Hey, if he does win the championship this year, good on him, he will have deserved it and I’ll congratulate him. But I doubt that will happen.

Hollywood · Aug 18, 2020

Part of me wonders if this might be part of his negotiating strategy, and that a month from now Ducati gives him the deal he is looking for. After all he is their best hope for a championship in the next couple seasons. I am sure KTM would be more then happy to have him, he may even be faster on their bike. Honda would either need to add a bike or cut a rider, or perhaps Suzuki might want to add a bike.

misfit · Aug 19, 2020

This Autosport Plus article, "Why the Ducati-Dovizioso divorce was unavoidable", gives some interesting insights into Dovi's split with Ducati.

Hollywood · Aug 19, 2020

misfit said:
This Autosport Plus article, "Why the Ducati-Dovizioso divorce was unavoidable", gives some interesting insights into Dovi's split with Ducati.

my takeaways from the article:
- Ducati do not care about beating Marquez, because they feel they can not.
- Ducati do not have the 6 million to pay him because of covid19
- Ducati still have a hard on for Lorenzo

If I were Dovi I would be pissed too.

Keshav · Aug 19, 2020

Hollywood said:
my takeaways from the article:
- Ducati do not care about beating Marquez, because they feel they can not.
- Ducati do not have the 6 million to pay him because of covid19
- Ducati still have a hard on for Lorenzo

If I were Dovi I would be pissed too.

Gigi's been ... for Lorenzo since forever.

Cutter · Aug 19, 2020

p4p1 said:
Is anyone in Moto2 got a ride in GP for next year?

Is there not a linear progression in the Moto ranks? As in, a rider stands out in the small engines of Moto1, gets promoted to the bigger engines of Moto2, and so on, until they reach the GP?

Hollywood · Aug 19, 2020

Cutter said:
Is there not a linear progression in the Moto ranks? As in, a rider stands out in the small engines of Moto1, gets promoted to the bigger engines of Moto2, and so on, until they reach the GP?

with prototype racing machines there are a lot more variables, every teams bike differs from the other.... and when they get to the big bikes there is an even greater difference. how many times have we seen a championship winning rider swap bikes and struggle (rossi and Jlow come to mind)? when comparing moto2 riders its often an even steeper learning curve, and some riders never figure it out.

That said, a lot of moto2 riders seem to adjust better to the Yamahas and Suzukis.

p4p1 · Aug 19, 2020

Cutter said:
Is there not a linear progression in the Moto ranks? As in, a rider stands out in the small engines of Moto1, gets promoted to the bigger engines of Moto2, and so on, until they reach the GP?

To add onto what is written above me, its all down to contracts as well. Contracts are normally done by around mid season. A lot can change in the last half of a season. Sometimes no rides are available due to all the seats being filled as well.

mjpartyboy · Aug 20, 2020

Look how long it's taken Jack Miller to hone his MotoGP race craft after coming straight from Moto3. You also have situations were dominant smaller class riders' performance just doesn't translate in the big class.

misfit · Aug 21, 2020

https://www.autosport.com/motogp/news/151552/dovizioso-difficult-to-understand-strange-ktm-bike
One thing I'll really miss is Dovi's analytical commentary. He is clearly an above average, thinking rider who makes an admirable effort to share his technical thoughts with fans without being too vague.

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Dovi leaving Ducati at the end of 2020

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