MotoGP title hopeful Andrea Dovizioso blames his poor performance in Phillip Island qualifying on a lack of confidence brought about by a fast crash in fourth practice.
The Italian was pushing for a laptime in the 30–minute session prior to qualifying when he locked up the front of his Ducati under braking for the tight hairpin of the MG corner.
The Italian was unhurt and able to get out for qualifying, but the crash robbed him of confidence in the front–end of his Desmosedici and he could only manage a 1m29.496s for 11th – his worst Saturday result since he was 14th at Jerez.
“The medium front tyre was on the limit on the right,” explained Dovizioso, who was the only Ducati representative in Q2.
“I braked too had and lost the front – a classic Phillip Island crash.
“That made me lose confidence on the front, and in the end I didn’t make a good laptime.”
Dovizioso was adamant qualifying does not truly represent where he is in the pecking order, and is happy with his race pace – though he does admit pole man and championship rival Marc Marquez is still the favourite.
“I think the reality is different to what qualifying shows,” said Dovizioso.
“Marc’s pace is fastest, but after him we’re there. My feeling yesterday wasn’t bad, nor today before the crash when I was quite consistent.
“We have limits, but it’s important to create a good feeling with me and the bike agan, and to be smooth in the race because the race is long and the consumption of the rear tyre is very high.
“Anything can happen in 27 laps”
Standings leader Marquez – who holds an 11–point advantage ahead of Sunday’ – says beating Dovizioso is his only objective for the race, but is wary of the Italian putting on another charge through the field like he did one week ago at Motegi.
“The most important thing is to try and finish on the podium, and especially in front of Dovi,” he explained.
“Dovi starts from 11th, but in Motegi he started ninth and was behind by lap four. So we will see.
“Here is a little different and it depends on the weather. I think (Maverick) Vinales will be very fast, and (Johann) Zarco has a good pace too.
“Finishing the race is most important, because at 4pm the temperature starts to drop and it’s very critical.”
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