Dovizioso: There are two types of rider

In light of rival Marc Marquez’s huge FP1 fall and subsequent reaction to it, Andrea Dovizioso has explained his thoughts on how riders normally respond to sustaining injury, believing they fall into two categories.

In the Italian’s eyes, some are keen to exaggerate their pain to build up the media’s reaction “and play on that.” Others, like Marquez are “the opposite,” he said, in choosing to downplay whatever limit they may have.

“There are two types of riders,” began the 33-year old when asked about Marquez refusing to show weakness on Friday. “Some riders stay behind a painful or bad situation. Most of the riders put the limit in front of everybody and play on that. So they speak always, ‘I have this [injury], I have this, I have this.’

“Some do the opposite – they don’t say the [real] things so they don’t show the limit. And they push 100 percent. Marc is one of them. There are some other riders doing that.

“Especially with the media a lot of riders complain about a lot of things but they are smaller than the reality. But for the media it’s nice to say that or push on that. There are a lot of riders doing that. Marc is different for sure. But he’s not the only one.”

It was a solid day’s work in Thailand for Dovizioso, who posted the eighth fastest time in FP2. During the day’s two sessions he was “very consistent” but still sees Marquez as having an advantage.

“I’m quite happy because I was very consistent. I was not the fastest, but we are in the group. Unfortunately Marc is a bit faster but not that far like Aragon. We will see.

“I think we are in a good situation but still we have to continue improving because today we tried a different set-up and it worked, like in Aragon. We are happy about that. But I’m not happy 100 percent about the last part of the corner. I couldn’t finish the corner in a fast way.

“I’m able to brake and enter really competitive but not 100 percent. We will see tomorrow if we work in the dry and that will affect the consistency of the race for everybody. I’m happy; it doesn’t mean we are there but we have a chance for sure.”

Dovizioso foresees the armada of Yamahas, which occupied first, second, third and fifth in FP2, among his principle challengers on Sunday. He felt it could have been similar at Aragon had each of the M1s opted for Michelin’s soft rear tyre – like him – instead of the hard.

“In one day with two practices you have time to make a change. So I think this confirms Yamaha will be strong in the race, like in Aragon. I’m convinced in Aragon they did a mistake in the tyres.

“I’m not using that bike so I can’t know the details. Some riders said, ‘We had to use that tyre.’ But I was in the same situation before the race and I chose the soft. It worked. I think with a soft they could have made a better race in Aragon.

“And I think they are more competitive and for sure can be in the group in the race. But it depends tomorrow if we are able to ride in the dry and who will be able to improve more the situation.”

Amusingly, the ex-125cc world champion took exception to a question on whether the M1 is now the grid’s strongest bike in light of recent performances. Observers who think in such a way are “stupid,” he opined.

“I’m a rider. I can know more than the media about the best bike. But for me it’s impossible to say which is the best bike. And who speaks about the best bike, I think is not smart enough because it’s impossible to know exactly which is the best bike.

“First it’s always a mix between the rider and the bike. The bike doesn’t win alone. The rider doesn’t win alone. For example, Marc. For sure is he the best rider at this moment? Maybe yes. But that bike with Marc works. With other riders it doesn’t work. But the other riders aren’t bad. You understand what I mean?

“I don’t know if the Honda is the best bike at this moment. Maybe yes, but maybe no. To speak about the Yamaha in this case or a lot of people in the last two years spoke about the Ducati I think is stupid,” he said, before telling the journalist in question, “Not about you, eh?”