Dovizioso hoping to be ‘more competitive’ at Portimao, needs ‘good conditions’

Andrea Doviziso will make just his second MotoGP start around the Algarve International Circuit this weekend, which will also be his first time aboard the Yamaha at Portimao. 

The Italian endured another tough Misano round even though he claimed two points, after struggling to find any significant improvements in changeable conditions. 

When it's been fully dry or fully wet the Yamaha has been a match for most bikes on the grid, however, damp/drying conditions have been a major issue all season - not just for Dovizioso who has dealt with wet weather on all three of his races with Yamaha in 2021. 

Luckily for Yamaha and Dovizioso, this weekend’s penultimate round of the 2021 campaign is expected to be fully dry which should give the Italian a chance to replicate his stronger performance of COTA.

Dovizioso, who has one race less of experience around Portimao compared to most of the current grid, will also get his first taste of the rollercoaster track on the M1, which won in the hands of Fabio Quartararo back in April. 

"The Algarve International Circuit is a very unique track and I actually don’t know what it will be like with the Yamaha M1, especially because we are still learning new settings with the bike," added Dovizioso. 

"I’m really interested to see if we can be more competitive in Portimao, because in Misano we didn’t have the possibility to do so given the changing track conditions. 

"I hope to make a step forward because it is difficult to fight at the moment. 

"I also hope that we have good conditions in Free Practice, because we need this to continue making progress and to complete more laps on the bike."