After two gruelling seasons in 250cc Grand Prix where 'Dovi' and Honda could not quite take the World Championship honours (finishing overall runner-up in 2006 and 2007), the factory is now backing this consummate performer on the big stage – in MotoGP. And there are few who believe this Italian star will not shine in the big class.
Dovi himself admits to feeling more ‘at home’ on an 800cc machine than he did on the smaller bikes and when a rider relishes the big turns on a big bike an exciting season is in prospect.
The smooth-riding star hails from Forli in Italy and this son of an Italian Championship motocross rider remains the fourth youngest World Champion in the history of Grand Prix racing – so far.
Dovi began riding at seven and had won two Italian National mini-bike championships by the time he was nine. He also scooped a mini-MX championship too, proving a remarkably versatile competitor. So versatile in fact, that he was compelled to make a choice between tarmac racing, off-road racing and football at the age of ten.
He opted for the asphalt and soon justified that choice with a resounding performance in the Italian Aprilia Challenge series in 2000. He won his first race in that Championship first time out at Misano, and led the series throughout. Securing the overall title proved a formality.
Dovi was now on his way to a Grand Prix debut in the Italian round at Mugello in 2001. After recording an encouraging 11th fastest time on Saturday morning free training, his engine seized in the final timed session. He was then forced to start at the back of the grid and couldn’t make much of an impression in the race.
A first full season riding for Team Scot in 2002 proved entirely satisfactory. Andrea finished 16th overall and then improved to fifth overall in 2003, taking his first ever podium with a second place in South Africa. This was the start of his inexorable march to the title in 2004.
His habit of taking a hold on a Championship and not letting go, as he showed in his winning Aprilia Cup season, served him again in 2004. Dovi led throughout the season from his dominant showing in South Africa when he set pole and won a resounding victory. He never finished lower than fourth in 16 races and not since Haruchika Aoki won the 125cc World Championship in 1995 has any rider led the title race throughout the whole year.
And his two runner-up 250cc seasons in 2006 and 2007 showed the steely resolve and refusal to yield that characterises this quiet and unassuming individual.
Dovizioso will race with the number 4 in 2008. The number 34 he carried during his 125 and 250cc career does not exist in the MotoGP class. Number 34 is synonymous with former 500cc GP legend Kevin Schwantz and was 'retired' on the day Schwantz called a halt to his illustrious career.
