Andrea Dovizioso: “Luca Marini went to Honda to become a leader”

Luca Marini’s decision to join Honda was to become “a leader”, according to Andrea Dovizoso.

Marini follows in the footsteps of his brother Valentino Rossi, Max Biaggi and Dovizioso as an Italian riding for Honda.

He replaces Marc Marquez at Repsol Honda, after exiting VR46 Ducati to become a factory MotoGP rider for the first time.

Dovizioso told Sky: "I haven't been able to speak to Luca, at least not since he became an HRC rider, so I don't have any personal feedback from him.

“MotoGP has changed a lot since 2009.

“From how I know him, he seems to me to be very methodical, precise.

“And these are certainly characteristics that can help in the great work that will be done in HRC. It will certainly take time.

"I believe that leaving the team he was racing with was a strong choice for Marini.

“He had a competitive bike and he knew he could achieve very good results.

“When you choose to go to a factory team it's because, in my opinion, you really want to try to take another path, as a leader.

“If you are an official rider, you are one of the leaders, you can create your own space and a path can be opened up for you which, if everything goes well, will be even better for the future.

“It is an important gamble, but it can happen."

But Ducati, which Marini leaves behind and was the team of Dovizioso’s best days, is still MotoGP’s top team.

Dovizioso was a runner-up in the MotoGP standings three years in a row from 2017-19, with Honda’s Marc Marquez winning each season.

Now, Dovizioso sees Ducati finally establishing themselves at the front.

The upcoming season could be an all-Ducati battle which now includes Marquez.

"The season that is about to begin will certainly be a Ducati against Ducati fight,” Dovizioso said.

“For many reasons: they have many very strong riders and all of them are expiring their contracts.

“This factor will have a big impact on the championship and will raise the bar even further.

“The contracts they will close very soon, we know.

“This is why everyone will push and take more risks, especially at the beginning of the season.

“Let's hope that this increase in risks does not also lead to an increase in errors. “Furthermore, almost all the drivers have the advantage to ride bikes that they already know and this will allow them to push even harder.

“Marquez will certainly be one of the pillars of the rider market, but we have to wait to see his opponents..."

Aprilia and KTM are chasing Ducati with their own high hopes.

"Watching the races from the outside, it seems to me that both Aprilia and KTM have made steps forward,” Dovizioso predicted.

“It remains to be seen by how much, to see if it will be enough to be able to compete."