DOVI PRIMED TO RETURN AS MARQUEZ REPLACEMENT

Andrea Dovizioso is open to stand in for Marc Marquez – Image: LAT Images

MotoGP front-runner Andrea Dovizioso elected to take a sabbatical in 2021, however his manager says the Italian rider is primed to replace the injured Marc Marquez.

By DAN McCARTHY

Former Repsol Honda rider Dovizioso suffered a painful and drawn-out divorce from the factory Ducati team last year and despite several offers on the table from lower teams for 2021, the Italian rider decided to take a sabbatical.

‘Dovi’ also turned down opportunities as a test rider as he did not want this to limit his options for a full-time return in 2022.

According to Dovizioso’s manager Simone Battistella, Dovi is prepared and ready for action should the factory Honda squad need a replacement for the injured six-time MotoGP champion Marc Marquez.

“If it (the call) arrives, Andrea is really ready,” Battistella said. “He is training with motocross at an amateur level, but he is doing it with such intensity as if it were in full pre-season MotoGP. We will work this year to fully return in 2022.

“As for Honda, of course, first of all I’d like to say that both Andrea and I are very sorry about what is happening to Marc (Marquez), it is clear that they are evaluating exactly when their rider can return.

“In my opinion, they are, rightly, afraid of making any mistakes in such a delicate situation. Next month will be crucial for their decisions. For our part, we have rejected all of the proposals to be a test rider in order to be free to do something else but, also, so we are ready to return to the grid.”

Uncertainty and rumours continue to mount as to whether Marquez will be fit in time for the opening round of the MotoGP season from March 26-28.

Murmurs of a possible Marquez replacement persist, although the Spaniard’s Honda crew chief Santi Hernandez openly said that he would like to see test rider Stefan Bradl return.

Due to MotoGP testing restrictions, Dovizioso would not be allowed to ride the bike until the pre-season Qatar test, with Battistella telling Sky Sports Italy that it is an idea that they are open to.

“When I think about it, I would say yes to a call (from Honda) to get to know each other and to understand how Andrea would adapt to that bike,” he said.

“We are talking about a winning bike and a rider who has always been very strong in Qatar; that combination would definitely intrigue fans”.

Battistella admits that once Marquez returns to full fitness and is ready to return, Dovi will have to make way as teams are only allowed to run a maximum of two bikes.

“The hypothesis of starting (Dovi) alongside Pol Espargaro and then adding a third bike when Marquez returns is not feasible, so I don’t think there are so many variables that we can explore,” Battistella admitted.

“Let’s wait while Andrea, very calmly, works with the seriousness and commitment that makes him Andrea.”

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