Front row Dovizioso pondering victory challenge

Andrea Dovizioso has admitted he remains unsure whether he will be capable of challenging team-mate Jorge Lorenzo for victory during the Grand Prix of Catalunya on Sunday, after qualifying on the front row for the first time in 2018.

The Italian, who won out in a tactical duel at his venue a year ago, was strong throughout Saturday’s sessions, topping the morning’s FP3, placing third in FP4 before qualifying behind team-mate Jorge Lorenzo and championship rival Marc Marquez in Q2.

There can be no doubting the Ducati GP18's speed and consistency at Montmeló, but, on Friday and Saturday’s evidence, Lorenzo may be a step above. And while Dovizioso was “really happy” with the fruits of Saturday’s labours, he remains unsure of his full race-day potential. Not until he attacks the unique track conditions – new track surface, high temperatures – at 14:00 tomorrow afternoon will he understand whether he can run with his rapidly starting team-mate. 

In a similar fashion to a year ago, the consumption of both the front and rear tyres will be crucial, he said. Only in the race’s second half, will he understand whether he can carry the fight to Lorenzo.

“We have to be really happy,” said Dovizioso, 0.243s off Lorenzo at the close of Q2. “At the test the speed was good but the feeling wasn’t perfect. But it’s OK if this happened at the test. We started immediately with a good speed in the first practice.

“That is very important to be able to work on the details, especially at this kind of track when you have a new asphalt and the grip is very strange. The slide is difficult to manage, especially on maximum angle, when the tyre drops on entry. Everyone is struggling on that.

“But at the end we improve a little bit practice by practice and we arrive at free practice 4 with a good pace. I think we have a good pace to fight for the podium, or maybe the victory.

“But just in the race I will understand if I can have the chance to really fight for the victory. But like last year I expect a strange race – maybe not the same but similar because the consumption of the tyre is quite high.

“Everyone has to manage all the situation. There were a lot of crashes so everyone will be smooth in the race with the front and the rear. It will be difficult for everybody to manage the situation but we arrive to the race with good confidence.”

Asked how he plans to attack Sunday’s 24-lap race, Dovizioso said it depends on the conditions he encounters. “I don’t have my strategy,” he explained. “I’m trying to decide what is the best strategy in every race. I don’t have my way to win. For example Jorge is very good to start, very fast, makes a gap and keeps the same gap.

“I don’t have my strategy. The way I won last year was in a different way. I don’t try to use my strategy. If you have the speed you can make a strategy and decide during the race. I have my idea. I have my strategy for tomorrow.

“But the strategy has to be adapted during the race most of the time. You have to be ready. You have to be focussed on your idea. But you have to keep an open mind to try to adapt to every situation.”

Will Lorenzo attempt to break clear from the start? “I hope not,” he smiled. “This is for sure one of his really good points. But I think we are at a different track because the consumption is different.

“But we really don’t know because the asphalt is different and the tyres are different compared to last year. Also if you make a lot of laps on the practice it’s not the same as the race, but we will see during the race.”