Ducati, Dovizioso negotiations 'in a stalemate'

During the private MotoGP test at Misano, Ducati Corse general manager Gigi Dall’Igna gave an update on the protracted 2021 contract negotiations with star rider Andrea Dovizioso.

But first, SkySport.it asked Dall’Igna about rumours Jorge Lorenzo has made contact with his former team about a possible comeback.

"It is difficult to have a clear idea, surely it is understandable that a rider with Jorge's statistics intends to finish his career in a better way than he concluded last year," Dall’Igna replied. "Having said this, it is certainly difficult to understand his real motivations."

Dall’Igna played down the suggestion that Lorenzo could be next-in-line for the factory Ducati ride if an agreement cannot be reached with Dovizioso. However, he did admit talks with the triple MotoGP title runner-up are 'in a stalemate':

"It is absolutely premature to make such an argument [about Lorenzo], certainly the negotiation with Dovizioso started a long time ago and is in a stalemate, so we will see."

Dall’Igna added that the financial side "is the main stumbling block" to a new Dovizioso deal.

Dovizioso and team-mate Danilo Petrucci - expected to join KTM after making way for Jack Miller next season - are unable to ride this week due to the MotoGP testing rules.

However, Dall’Igna is overseeing the work of the factory's MotoGP test rider Michele Pirro and the official WorldSBK team of Scott Redding and Chaz Davies at Misano this week.