It was an unlucky Japanese Grand Prix for Andrea Dovizioso. The Italian rider led the race for the first 20 laps, but was then passed by Marc Marquez. He followed his Spanish rival until two laps from the end but then lost the front of his Desmosedici GP while entering Turn 10 and crashed out. After getting back on his bike, Andrea finished the race in eighteenth place.
Jorge Lorenzo came into the circuit this morning to say hello to the team and then left immediately after for Europe. In the next few days Jorge will undergo some more tests on his left wrist, which is still giving him pain after the crash at Buriram. The aim for the Mallorcan rider is to be back on track at Sepang in two weeks’ time. In the meantime his place in the factory team at Phillip Island will be taken by Alvaro Bautista, who finished fifth at Motegi today. The Ducati Team wishes to thank Jorge Martinez “Aspar” and the Angel Nieto Team for its collaboration and Alvaro Bautista for his availability.
Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team #04) – 18th
“I’m obviously pretty disappointed because we wanted to win this race at all costs, but all in all it has been a positive weekend because we were very quick and we confirmed our competitiveness. Even though we did a good race we were unable to make the difference against Marquez, and so I want to congratulate him because also this year he deserved to win the championship. Pity about the crash: I didn’t overdo it but simply tried to prepare for the exit of the turn in the best possible way in order to attack him and I made a small mistake that cost me dearly.”
