MOTOGP » Dovizioso top rookie - can he stay there?

Andrea did a great job, impressing the HRC people by his pace and the accuracy of his feedback,
slamming electronics in the process, saying a 250 is more difficult to ride
Mark my words, one learning year at JIR, then next to Pedrosa in the works team in 2009.

Got to agree with that....... He'd have been 250cc world champ too but for the weaknesses of the Honda compared to the Aprillia.

He'll be a full works rider in 12 months time, as mch as he's a very likeable & entertaining to watch hayden's got some serious riding to do to keep his seat & get a new contract.

Totally agree. If he had had a continuingly developed bike in 250, he'd have beaten Lorenzo almost every time. I don't know when Honda stopped work on the 250, but given that Dovi was usually the main adversary to Lorenzo, on a fully developed works Aprilia, he was the real star.

Well thats what Dani did on the Honda against almighty Casey in 250cc. And yes, Casey was on a works Aprilia (Lucio Cecchinello dixit)

HAving said that , i do rate Dovi as high a Lorenzo. But i reckon Andrea needs to develop some agressiveness.

I agree with you Chu, he is fast bu a bit to 'sweet' for other riders IMO
Honda stopped development on the 250 because they wanted to focus on MotoGP
and Dorna wants to drop the 250 2-strokes, the first plan was 2010 but now it's postponed to 2011
changing it into a 600cc fourstroke class...
You might see an all European (Aprilia and KTM) domination in 2008 though Dovis teammate in 250, Takahasi
is getting support to make him 'ready' to be the next Japanese in MotoGP

A bit sweet?!
Watch the end of the Turkish GP, how he beat up Lorenzo in the final chicane on one of the most power-hungry tracks of the year. He is a true star. His problem was that he was having to ride the wheels (and tyres) off of the Honda to keep up in most places, his tyres were shot by 75% race distace, then he would have to just bring the bike home. On a more level playing field, he will shine.

Yes I know and I fully agree Speckypete,
It's difficult to find good examples but there have been a couple of instances where he backed off in direct confrontations,
like being denied the podium by an agressive Alex Debon at Valencia.
Not to slag him off, I am a big fan of Dovisioso, ((read my previous posts about him if you want)
he is fantastic and has the stuff to be WC in the future.

I think that in his position, riding a sub-standard bike by comparison to Lorenzo's Aprilia, discretion is the better part of valour and if it means bringing his bike home and earning points, to that extent, I would support his actions.

Presumably, Debon had little to lose in that instance.

Ofcourse, Debon was desperate for his first podium and nearly shoved him off the tarmac on the finish line