Dovizioso on risk, Marquez tactics, sleeping well

Andrea Dovizioso was “pretty happy” to secure a place at the front of the second row for Sunday’s MotoGP outing at Brno after opting out of a slick tyre risk when rain was falling, and sees himself as one of four challengers for victory on Sunday.

The wily Italian felt it was “easier to make a bad qualifying than a good” one in mixed conditions which required bravery and maximum skill. Even if his efforts were overshadowed by the exploits of Marc Marquez, his late lap on wet tyres that guaranteed fourth place was a solid result.

“[Running slicks] Was an option but I didn’t take it,” Dovizioso said. “The risk was big. Nothing happened but it was much easier to make a mistake than a good lap time. I just can say congratulations to Marc and Jack because they did a good lap time.

“But in that situation still the rain tyres worked. I did fourth so I’m pretty happy about this position. In these conditions it’s easier to make a bad qualifying than a good qualifying. I was struggling a little bit in half and half conditions. In free practice we did it like this.

“Fortunately in FP4 we found rain and I was happy. I think tomorrow there is the warm-up to have some other feedback from yesterday. I think in the race we will start from yesterday. We will try the tyres in the right way. I think it’s not easy to make the right choice, especially on the rear.

“We will see tomorrow the choice of everybody.”

After losing a day to the weather, who does Dovizioso foresee as the men to beat on Sunday, a day which is forecast to be dry?

“I don’t know. Marc. He was fast yesterday. I think me and Marc have a good situation. Also Maverick [Viñales]. [Alex] Rins. I think they did the practice in the different way so I don’t know about the feeling they had and the choice of the rear tyre and the consistency. I can’t know that.

“But I think these three or four riders will be going to sleep tonight a bit more relaxed.”

Dovizioso was also asked for his opinion on Marquez’s on-track exploits, which drew criticism on Saturday from Rins.

“I didn’t see the practice. I just saw what happened in pit lane because I was behind. I think this is Marc. In this moment he’s the champion and his style, his character is to show every time he is the best.

“If anybody tries to answer in that he answers immediately. I think this is what happened. But I didn’t see who made something too aggressive or not.”