Front-row start for Andrea Dovizioso in French GP

Andrea Dovizioso put in yet another good performance today in French GP qualifying at Le Mans. The Italian powered to the second-quickest time in the 15-minute qualifying session and will start from the front row of the grid for Sunday’s 28-lap race.

In the morning’s third free practice session, Dovizioso had been fourth quickest in the dry conditions, but in the early afternoon it started to rain at the French circuit and FP4 took place in the wet, even though it dried out towards the end of the session. In Q2 all the riders fitted slicks and Dovizioso set his quickest time using an extra-soft rear tyre.

In any case the front row is fine and it is also very important because in MotoGP it’s always essential to start as far up the grid as possible.

Andrea Dovizioso

Andrea Iannone also had a good day, especially considering the condition of his left shoulder, which was injured during Ducati testing at Mugello on Tuesday. Thanks to the assistance of Clinica Mobile doctors and physiotherapists, the Italian was able to take to the track again today, lapping at a good pace.

After setting second quickest time in FP3, in Q2 Iannone made his first run with the extra-soft tyre, but then opted to fit a soft rear tyre with which he notched up the fifth best time of the day, and which will allow him to start from the second row of the grid in Sunday’s race.

Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team #04) – 1’32.749 (2nd): “I am not completely satisfied with my qualifying lap, because after the rain I was not able to prepare myself mentally and even physically I was feeling pretty tense. In any case the front row is fine and it is also very important because in MotoGP it’s always essential to start as far up the grid as possible.

I could probably have been a bit closer to Marquez and try and go for pole, but in any case I set a good lap time, and this is the result of the good work me and the team have been doing throughout the weekend. For the race I’m starting with a good set-up and I am happy with my pace, but it’s not easy to interpret how our rivals are going and so I don’t know what to expect from them. In any case we are quick, and so tomorrow we’ll see who goes better over 28 laps”.

Andrea Iannone (Ducati Team #29) – 1’33.001 (5th): “To be honest I am pleased with the result, because it wasn’t taken for granted that I would be so quick in these conditions, seeing as I am not 100% fit. The shoulder I injured in the crash at Mugello is not doing its job very much and I find myself having to use my right arm much more to compensate: I am very tired because of this situation and so I never expected to be so quick today.

I set my quickest time on the soft tyre and maybe I could have even gone a bit quicker. We must remain focused for tomorrow, because in my opinion we’ve done a good job so far and my team in any case has managed to improve the Desmosedici GP15’s performance, without me being able to give any big indications because of my physical condition. I also want to thank the guys from the Clinica Mobile who are giving me a big hand in managing the problem with my left shoulder.”

Ducati Team