Ducati: A Positive, hectic and bizarre calendar

Ducati Corse general manager Gigi Dall’Igna and his factory MotoGP riders Andrea Dovizioso and Danilo Petrucci have reacted to the revised 2020 calendar presented today.

Eight of the planned 20 MotoGP events have so far been culled due to the coronavirus, with a question mark still hanging over the four remaining flyaways, which will be decided by the end of July.

However, a European season starting at Jerez on July 19 and featuring 13-rounds at eight venues has now been confirmed.

"We are delighted with the work we have done in recent weeks with the other manufacturers involved in the championship, together with FIM, Dorna Sports and IRTA to find solutions that would allow us to return to racing in such a complicated situation," Dall’Igna said.

"Despite the many difficulties and restrictions that we will have to accept, I think it is very positive news to finally have a calendar that still allows us to race in 2020, albeit in reduced form.

"During these months of lockdown, we have done all that it was possible to be ready for the start of the championship: the calendar is hectic. It will require a great effort from everyone, not only from the riders but also from all our engineers and mechanics.

"For this reason, I want to thank all Ducati Corse, and also all our partners and sponsors for the support and understanding shown us during this period."

Reigning triple title runner-up Dovizioso said the confirmed start date means he now has a target to work towards, while warning it will be a physically and mentally challenging season with 'no room for mistakes'.

"Finally we’ll be back racing!" began Dovizioso, due to decide his 2021 plans before the opening race. "The announcement of the new official calendar allows us to prepare for the return to action with a precise date in mind. I trained a lot during this period, but it was not easy to do so without knowing if and when we could start racing again.

"It will be a challenging season; everyone will have to manage a new situation. It has never happened before to have two races on following weekends at the same track and we will have to be prepared for this aspect not only physically but also mentally.

"Besides, having so many races in a short time leaves no room for mistakes, and therefore it will be crucial to know how to handle well the situation. I can't wait to get back in the saddle of my Desmosedici GP, meet the team again and finally get back into action."

Team-mate Petrucci, preparing for what is set to be his final season with Ducati after the recent signing of Jack Miller for 2021, added that while the circuits are familiar the revised dates mean track conditions could be very different to the past:

"This, in any case, will be a bizarre season, but having the calendar available, at least allows us to begin to metabolize the new situation.

"For example, we will race on circuits that we already know at different times of the year: we never raced in Jerez in July, because normally the race is in May, and the different temperature could be decisive.

"We're all going to have to adapt, but now what's important is to have a start date finally. For the greater good, we will also have to commit to complying with the sanitation standards of each country where the races will be held."