Dovizioso Poised
For A Racing
Return?
U
pon announcing Andrea Dovizioso
would try Aprilia's RS-GP at a private
test at Jerez April 12-14, paddock specula-
tion went into overdrive at the Qatar GP
regarding a potential future relationship
between the Italian rider and factory.
Should the 35-year-old be impressed
by the potential of the much-improved RS-GP in
Andalusia, it is believed Aprilia would be keen
to make him the second rider in its race team in
place of Lorenzo Savadori, who has so far failed to
impress.
"For Aprilia it's amazing to sign a rider like Dovi
to test the bike," said Aleix Espargaro. "But let's
give him some space. I'm interested to see his re-
action to the bike." Pressed on whether he'd like to
see Dovizioso as his teammate, the Catalan made
his feelings clear: "Which team in this paddock
doesn't want Andrea Dovizioso as a second rider?
Maybe as a first rider if I am not fast enough! But
let's wait and see how he enjoys the bike."
Neil Morrison
IN
THE
WIND
P44
There is talk
about Andrea
Dovisioso
returning to race
for Aprilia.
Covid Dramas
Impacting
Paddock Life
M
ass testing to detect Covid-19 is still
the norm in the MotoGP paddock. But
that hasn't stopped Covid-19 from disrupting
the start of the season for certain teams.
Maverick Vinales' crew chief Esteban Garcia
and Alex Marquez's crew chief Christophe
Bourguignon, were missing from the track
on Friday due to "reactive" test results.
Both were forced to quarantine in their
hotel rooms upon arrival in Qatar and di-
rected Friday's sessions via Zoom calls. "He was
always in contact and on the computer," said the
younger Marquez brother of the absence in his
garage. "He wasn't on track, but it was like he was
here."
But the two technicians received the all clear to
return to the track on Saturday after testing nega-
tive. "It means everyone is not doing an extra job
and everything under control and this is good,"
said Marquez.
CN
Covid-19 disrupted the
start of the season for
certain teams.
