Dovizioso will return 'as soon as there is a good bike available'
Andrea Dovizioso insists he will 'return to MotoGP' despite turning down all race and test-riding offers for 2021.
The triple title runner-up called an end to drawn-out contract negotiations with Ducati in mid-August and was then linked to both the Aprilia race seat and various testing roles.
But ahead of this weekend's penultimate round at Valencia the Italian, who still has a slim mathematical chance of the title, explained that he's decided against signing any formal agreements.
Andrea Dovizioso insists he will 'return to MotoGP' despite turning down all race and test-riding offers for 2021.
The triple title runner-up called an end to drawn-out contract negotiations with Ducati in mid-August and was then linked to both the Aprilia race seat and various testing roles.
But ahead of this weekend's penultimate round at Valencia the Italian, who still has a slim mathematical chance of the title, explained that he's decided against signing any formal agreements.
The 34-year-old maintains he still has 'the ambition to compete and fight to win', and his manager Simone Battistella told Crash.net:
"[Dovizioso] prefers to stay away for a bit as the last couple of seasons at Ducati have been very tough. That said, he intends to come back as soon as there is a good bike available."
Most MotoGP places are now occupied until the end of 2022, although the KTM contracts expire at the end of 2021.
But might Dovizioso be back before then?
Rumours continue to link Dovizioso with Marc Marquez's Repsol Honda ride, should the Spaniard not be fit for the start of next season amid ongoing speculation that a third operation will be needed on his broken right arm...
"THIS IS WHAT I'M GOING TO DO IN 2021 Over the last few months, I have received several offers to work as a test rider in developing MotoGP projects and I am grateful for the consideration received by the manufacturers.
"However, I have decided not to make any commitments and to remain free from formal agreements for now. I have an immense passion for racing. I still have the ambition to compete and fight to win.
"I will return to MotoGP as soon as I find a project driven by the same passion and ambition that I have and within an organization that shares my same objectives, values and working methods.
"Now I am focused on finishing the World Championship in the best possible way, and I have already started developing some projects with my partners."
Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years and has seen Valentino Rossi come and go. He is at the forefront of the Suzuki exit story and Marc Marquez’s injury issues.
