Suzuki switch appealing for Andrea Dovizioso

By Matthew Birt -

MotoGP

08 May 2014 10:31
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Andrea Dovizioso is emerging as an early favourite to clinch a switch to Suzuki's factory MotoGP squad in 2015.

Tentative talks between the Italian's manager Simone Battistella and Suzuki senior management have already taken place.

Suzuki has long admired the ex-125GP world champion, and MCN learned recently in Argentina that key members of the Japanese factory's test and development team have identified Dovizioso as a number one target.

With vast experience of Honda, Yamaha and Ducati and proven speed to challenge consistently for the podium, Dovizioso perfectly fits the bill for what Suzuki is seeking to ensure it returns immediately competitive next season.

Dovizioso is certain to be receptive to a Suzuki switch, given his struggles at Ducati, which remain despite a first podium for the Bologna factory in Austin last month.

He was fifth in last weekend's Jerez race but a second a lap slower than dominant winner Marc Marquez.

And Battistella told MCN: "We have been talking to understand their approach and what they are doing but that is something you do with everybody. I think Suzuki has to understand which riders it wants to target. From our side nothing has happened with Suzuki or anybody else, not even with Ducati."

Battistella though admitted that the Suzuki option carried big appeal for Dovizioso and he added: "The Suzuki has always been a very strong option. If we see where they were when they stopped, they had some very strong results and I think the bike could have been on the podium. At the time Alvaro (Bautista) was very young and I think with one of the top riders they would have been on the podium a few times. I think with good riders, Suzuki will be very close to the podium right from the beginning next year."

With Suzuki expressing serious interest in Dovizioso, Ducati could have a big fight on its hands to persuade him to stay.

The Desmosedici is still posing no serious threat to Honda and Yamaha's domination of MotoGP and Battitstella said his decision on whether to stay or quit could not be based on performance potential because of a lack of time.

He added: "I think it is not going to be a technical situation that is going to convince him to stay. I think it will be a confidence situation between Gigi (Dall'Igna) and Andrea because the time is not there to show him something with the bike. The start of the relationship has been very good but I don't think there is enough time to see something on track that will work that will make him want to stay."


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Could be true, could be posturing for a better re - up deal with Ducati since Cal is a lame duck, and no one else Ducati would want would take their bait after Cal's miserable start. Suzuki's latest testing shows they are still seconds off the current pace so I tend to think this is his manager earning his 10% by getting a sweeter deal with Ducati.

I'm sure Cal will be talking about how well he thinks he could go on the Suzuki soon. If Dovi does go then I'll bet Iannone moves up.

My take on it is the Iannone will move up, or be given a full fledged factory---open bike under his Pramac colors.

Dovi I think will stay in the end. He has all the time in the world to decide. By mid season he will have an upgraded Ducati, and will know if it has any hope of competing. The suzuki in the hands of RD isn't faster than what he is currently riding anyway. Cal, on the other hand needs to go.

This is where Ducati has a lot of options.....

First it can move up Iannone and put Chaz, or davide on a satellite open bike, or vice versa.

Second, it's not like at the end of the season there won't be a plethora of riders dying for a ride. It is actually one of my favorite parts of the season, to see when the music stops who still has a seat.

My dream against all dreams is Ducati takes one on the chin and hires some of our lame ... talent in the states to come over and race evo, or WSBK, with the hopes that they can develop American talent to move up to GP. Either that or we ....... need to carpet bomb Spain followed by a full on invasion. Euthanize all their young talent and level the playing field a bit. I'm really open to all suggestions at this point...lol.