Andrea Dovizioso could have made his MotoGP comeback with Aprilia instead of Yamaha – Looking back, he does not regret that he decided otherwise, because …
When Andrea Dovizioso took (almost) a year off from MotoGP last year, he didn’t race until September. But “Dovi” still did one or two test rides, and he did them for Aprilia. In Jerez, Mugello and Misano, the Italian tried out the RS-GP. There was talk of wildcard starts, but it didn’t come to that.
When Maverick Vinales fell out with Yamaha in the summer, things took a different direction at Aprilia. The Spaniard was signed up in September as the new regular rider and thus as Aleix Espargaro’s teammate. At the same time, Dovizioso made his racing comeback on a Yamaha, namely in the Petronas team. He is now riding his comeback season for the successor team RNF – and has struggled mightily so far.
In view of the fact that Aprilia took its first MotoGP victory a few days ago in Argentina with Aleix Espargaro and that Vinales is also getting on better and better with the RS-GP, the question arises whether Dovizioso has any regrets in retrospect? That’s not the case.
“I have no regrets,” says Dovizioso and assures: “It’s not because I didn’t want to ride for Aprilia. In fact, it’s the opposite. I am very happy for them and for the results they have achieved. In the short time I have been there, I have found a relaxed and productive working atmosphere. I am very happy and would like to congratulate Aleix. He is the one who brought the bike to the finish [at Termas de Rio Hondo] as the winner. But I am also very happy for Aprilia. “
The reason why “Dovi” does not regret his departure from the Aprilia project in retrospect is simple. Namely, he is not convinced that he himself would have been successful with the RS-GP. “There are numerous examples that show that a combination of several factors is necessary for good results. When I rode for Ducati, I was the first to realise the potential of the bike. This was simply because the characteristics of this bike suited my riding style. “
“Just because Aprilia is winning now doesn’t mean I would have won with the Aprilia,” insists Dovizioso, drawing a comparison with his current situation on the RNF Team Yamaha: “If you thought like that, you’d have to say I’m riding the World Champion bike now. But that’s nothing but regular chatter. If you look at the details, there are always reasons why things happen the way they do.”
“I repeat, I feel nothing but joy for Aprilia having such a great weekend recently. They are strong and they simply deserved that. When I was at Aprilia, I could have stayed. But [leaving] was my own decision and I’m fine with it. I don’t see the [Argentina] result as a disappointment because I’m not one to lie to myself. I just can’t say that I would have won if I had stayed with Aprilia. Things don’t work that simply,” said Dovizioso.
