Ducati rider Andrea Dovizioso in action during the preseason test at Qatar’s Losail International Circuit. (MotoGP)
After the Ducati Team dominated the final preseason test in Qatar, Movistar Yamaha Team Director Massimo Meregalli believes that the new Desmosedici will be at the forefront come the start of the season: “They impressed everybody because they have been fast, but also very consistent, for me they have done a really good job.”
With Jorge Lorenzo on the leading Yamaha finishing over half a second behind Andrea Dovizioso’s Ducati in the overall standings after the final preseason test, Meregalli believes that the resurgence of the Italian Manufacturer could lead to an exciting 2015 season: “Yesterday they were 10 riders separated by less than one second, for me in terms of a spectacle, we could see a nice championship this year.”
Livio Suppo, Repsol Honda Team Principal, thinks that, “The GP15 seems to work really well.” He went on to say that he thinks it is good for the championship to have Ducati back battling at the front, and believes that they won’t be the only manufacturer to challenge the recent domination of Yamaha and Honda. The Italian said: “Suzuki are not doing too bad as well, so the rules that allow the teams that were a little bit behind to have an advantage seem to be working well.”
Marc Marquez on the factory Honda was the only rider to really offer any challenge to the Factory Ducati team, as he finished the test just 0.184s off the pace in 2nd place. Suppo finished by saying that having these teams competing at the sharp end again was, “Good for the sport,” although he feels it is “too early to say yet,” if Ducati can mount a serious title challenge. (MotoGP)
