MotoGP Qatar: Dovizioso felt 'obligation' to win season opener
Andrea Dovizioso says he felt obliged to win the MotoGP season opener after finishing the previous three races in Qatar as runner-up
Ducati rider Dovizioso went into the season opener as favourite among a number of his rivals, based on his pace in both pre-season testing and in practice, despite only qualifying fifth.
The Italian was in the chasing pack for much of the race but hit the front with five laps to go, and held off 2017 title adversary Marc Marquez in the closing stages to cross the line 0.027 seconds clear of the Honda rider.
Dovizioso conceded he was under pressure going into the race.
"I did three second positions [in previous years in Qatar], so before I came here it was like I had an obligation to win," he told BT Sport.
"The bike worked very well so it was easier than in the past. Our front [tyre] worked very well, the bike and my riding style was really good for the tyre.
"But the rear was very soft, softer than the softest last year.
"That's why we didn't push for three quarters of the race; that's why when [Johann] Zarco was in front, nobody pushed.
"In the last laps when I wanted to make the difference, because I was controlling the race, I didn't have the grip.
"I did a lap time, a low [1m]55s, but it wasn't enough to create a gap.
"That is the bad part of the race, because it confirms Honda has improved and Marc is there."
Dovizioso remained cautious on his championship prospects, highlighting the need to back up his Qatar win with strong showings in the next two races in Argentina and the US.
"We just confirmed the feeling I had before the race, so it's not news," he added.
"The next rounds will be very important for us to get a good result because I think it will be very difficult.
"It will be important to understand our level for the championship.
"We have a little bit better bike than last year, we confirmed this winter and this weekend, but it's not enough when there are so many fast riders."
Previous article
MotoGP Qatar: Dovizioso fends off Marquez to win season opener
Next article
MotoGP Qatar: Zarco blames front tyre issue for ruining victory shot
About this article
| Series | MotoGP |
| Drivers | Andrea Dovizioso |
| Teams | AB Motoracing |
| Author | Jamie Klein |
Where does Honda's new MotoGP signing sit ahead of its king's return?
Pol Espargaro’s first results as a Honda MotoGP rider may not appear special. But dig a little deeper and a clearer picture of his performance emerges. And, as Lewis Duncan writes, it’s cause for celebration at Honda with the return of Marc Marquez set to provide Espargaro with the reference he has been missing so far this year
The "pit bull" MotoGP rookie already drawing legendary comparisons
MotoGP’s 2021 rookie crop is one of the strongest in recent years, but one is already standing out. Jorge Martin’s Doha GP heroics have courted many to compare him to numerous MotoGP legends. Autosport spoke to Pramac boss Francesco Guidotti to find out why MotoGP’s latest Spanish star is already making such an impact
Why MotoGP's stewards must revisit Miller and Mir's Losail clash
Despite Suzuki’s decision not to appeal against Race Direction’s refusal to penalise Jack Miller following the incident with Joan Mir in Losail, something must be done to avoid a repeat of such an incident, which could have easily ended in tragedy
Has Yamaha banished its demons with its 2021 MotoGP bike?
Against the expected run of play at Qatar's Losail circuit, both Yamaha riders Maverick Vinales and Fabio Quartararo carved through a resolute Ducati defence to secure back-to-back MotoGP wins for the Japanese marque. After a difficult 2020, it appears that Yamaha has swaggered back into championship contention
Why MotoGP’s top gun looks more dangerous at the Doha GP
Lightning hasn't struck twice for Maverick Vinales since 2017 and his wayward form of recent years makes predicting how he'll fare each MotoGP race weekend tricky. But fresh from his Qatar GP win, Vinales looks like an even more dangerous prospect for the Doha GP following an intriguing Friday practice
Why MotoGP’s new Amazon series is long overdue
OPINION: MotoGP is getting its own version of Drive to Survive on Amazon Prime at some point in the near future. It was news welcomed by the grid’s leading riders. And following the impact DTS has had on Formula 1, MotoGP desperately needs the same boost.
Did the Qatar GP hint at Ducati’s true MotoGP leader?
OPINION: Johann Zarco talked a big game pre-season, and is so far vindicating himself as a factory rider at Pramac after finishing the Qatar GP as top Ducati in second. And contrasting his and Jack Miller's weekends and their approaches, is Zarco emerging as Ducati's true MotoGP leader?
The key changes behind the latest 'return of the Mack'
Maverick Vinales’s authoritative victory at the MotoGP season opener came during a period of personal and professional change for the Yamaha rider. Can it be the springboard for a title challenge?
