The driver from Forlì has decided to end his career in the premier class in front of his fans: “It didn’t go, but it was right to try”. His Yamaha will pass to Crutchlow
Andrea Dovizioso will leave the MotoGP before the end of the season. The official announcement came on the eve of the Silverstone weekend: the rider from Forlì will race in Misano in September for his last race on the Yamaha of the WithU RNF team, thus closing a season well below his expectations and a career that has only missed the most important title, close to many times with Ducati. In his place, until the end of 2022, the test driver will race Cal Crutchlow.
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“In 2012 – explained” Dovi “- the experience with the Iwata factory in MotoGP had been very positive for me and since then I have always thought that, sooner or later, I would have liked to have an official contract with Yamaha. This possibility it presented itself, actually in a somewhat risky way, during 2021. I decided to give it a try because I strongly believed in this project and in the possibility of doing well “.
“Unfortunately, MotoGP has changed profoundly in recent years. The situation is very different since then: I have never felt comfortable with the bike and I have not been able to make the most of its potential, despite the precious and continuous help of the team. and all of Yamaha, ”he added.
And the results on the track did not arrive: “Even if the results were negative, I still consider it a very important life experience. When there are so many difficulties you need to have the ability to manage the situation and your emotions well. We didn’t reach the desired goals, but the comparisons with the Yamaha technicians and those of my team have always been positive and constructive, both for them and for me. The relationship remained fair and professionally interesting even in the most critical moments. It wasn’t so obvious that it would happen. “
“For all this and for their support, I thank Yamaha, my team and WithU, as well as the other sponsors involved in the project. It didn’t go as we hoped, but it was right to try. My adventure will end in Misano, but the relationship with all of them the people involved in this challenge will remain intact forever. Thank you all, “he concluded.
The director of Yamaha Motor Racing, Lin Jarvis, he hoped that things with Dovizioso would go differently. “I would like to start by saying that, of course, we are all sorry that Andrea is leaving this sport earlier than expected. He is a big name in MotoGP and we will miss him in the paddock. Last year we felt very lucky that he was available and wanted to join our MotoGP program when Franky (Morbidelli, ed) switched to the Yamaha Factory team, thus creating the need for a replacement rider for the remainder of the 2021 season. Andrea’s great competence, experience and methodical nature have been of great interest to Yamaha and the RNF team. The project has been designed to include the entire 2022 season ”.
“Unfortunately, Andrea struggled to extract the maximum potential from the M1 and therefore the results did not arrive, creating an understandable frustration. During the summer break he confirmed his desire to retire before the end of the season. We saw fit that Andrea corrected. his last race at Misano, his home GP. Of course, Yamaha will continue to give Dovi its full support in the next three races. In the meantime, let’s enjoy his last three GPs and celebrate the end of a spectacular career at Misano “, he confirmed.
The founder and owner of the WithU RNF team was also hoping for a different season, Razlan Razali. “Upon returning to the paddock, after a five-week break, we were looking forward to working to change Andrea’s season, especially after some positive results in the last two races. However, he has chosen to retire and we respect his. decision. We are sorry to see a highly experienced rider like Andrea leave the championship and not finish the season with us. But we understand, he said clearly that he struggled to feel comfortable with the bike and to adapt his riding style to the the way it has to be driven. Even if we have not been able to achieve the desired results together, we are still honored and satisfied to have a great name like Andrea in our team. We thank him for his support, his experience and his contribution. We will continue to give him maximum support in the next three races, “said the Malaysian.
“This announcement and Andrea’s early retirement is not quite what we wanted as a team, but it is also understandable by Andrea, who clearly expected a lot more from his return than he was able to do – he analyzed the team manager of the team, Wilco Zeelenberg -. We tried to follow him as much as possible and in all sectors throughout the course, but in the end he decided to stop after the Misano GP. We have to accept his decision. We can only appreciate his honesty and his decision. We will do everything to keep pushing and get results for the team. “
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