Andrea Dovizioso To Retire Before The End Of The Season
Ahead of the Monster Energy British Grand Prix, Andrea Dovizioso (WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team) has announced he will retire from MotoGP after the San Marino Grand Prix. The announcement that he won’t see out the end of the season comes as a surprise for his fans worldwide. Release: MotoGP.
Ahead of the Monster Energy British Grand Prix, Andrea Dovizioso (WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP™ Team) has announced he will retire from MotoGP™ after the San Marino Grand Prix.
The 24-time Grand Prix race winner, 2004 125cc World Champion and three-time MotoGP runner-up re-joined the premier class and Yamaha in 2021, before signing a full factory contract with the Iwata outfit to compete in the WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team ranks in 2022.
However, after a difficult first half of the season, which has seen the experienced Italian score 10 points in the opening 11 rounds, Dovizioso has decided to retire before the end of the season – fittingly after his home race at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli at the beginning of September.
The 24-time Grand Prix race winner, 2004 125cc World Champion and three-time MotoGP runner-up re-joined the premier class and Yamaha in 2021.
Yamaha’s Official Test Rider, Cal Crutchlow, will replace Dovizioso for the final six rounds of the season alongside Darryn Binder, starting at the Aragon GP.
Lin Jarvis, Managing Director Yamaha Motor Racing: “I want to start by saying that, of course, we are all sad that Andrea will be leaving the sport earlier than expected. He is a big name in MotoGP, and he will be missed in the paddock.”
Dovizioso has decided to retire before the end of the season – fittingly after his home race at the Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli at the beginning of September.
“We considered ourselves very lucky last year that he was available and willing to join our MotoGP programme when Franky switched to the Yamaha Factory Team thus creating the need for a replacement rider for the remainder of the 2021 season. Andrea‘s great expertise, experience, and methodical nature were of great interest to Yamaha and the RNF team and the project was fixed to include the full 2022 season.”
“Unfortunately, Andrea has struggled to extract the maximum potential out of the M1 and thus the results have not been forthcoming, which has created understandable frustration for Andrea. Finally during the summer break, he confirmed to us his desire to retire before the end of the season.
“Naturally, Yamaha will continue to give ’Dovi‘ their full support over the next three races. In the meantime, let‘s enjoy his last three GPs and celebrate in Misano the end of a spectacular career.” said Lin Jarvis.
“After mutual discussions it was deemed appropriate for Andrea to ride his final race in Misano at his home GP. Naturally, Yamaha will continue to give ’Dovi‘ their full support over the next three races. In the meantime, let‘s enjoy his last three GPs and celebrate in Misano the end of a spectacular career.”
Andrea Dovizioso: “I thank Lin for his words, I totally agree with them. In 2012, the experience with the Iwata manufacturer in MotoGP had been very positive for me and since then I have always thought that, sooner or later, I would have liked to have an official contract with Yamaha. This possibility presented itself, actually in a somewhat daring way, during 2021. I decided to give it a try because I strongly believed in this project and in the possibility of doing well.
“Unfortunately, in recent years the MotoGP has changed profoundly. The situation is very different since then: I have never felt comfortable with the bike.” said Dovizioso.
“Unfortunately, in recent years the MotoGP has changed profoundly. The situation is very different since then: I have never felt comfortable with the bike, and I have not been able to make the most of its potential despite the precious and continuous help from the team and the whole of Yamaha. The results were negative, but beyond that, I still consider it a very important life experience. When there are so many difficulties, you need to have the ability to manage the situation and your emotions well.”
“We did not reach the desired objectives, but the consultations with the Yamaha technicians and with those of my team have always been positive and constructive, both for them and for me. The relationship remained loyal and professionally interesting even in the most critical moments: it was not so obvious that that would happen.”
Dovizioso had a spectacular experience on the Ducati, winning 14 races with the team and coming second in the standings three years in a row!
“For all this and for their support, I thank Yamaha, my team and WithU, and the other sponsors involved in the project. It didn’t go as we hoped, but it was right to try. My adventure will end in Misano, but the relationship with all the people involved in this challenge will remain intact forever. Thank you all.”
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