The former MotoGP Ducati factory rider and currently unemployed Andrea Dovizioso has been said to be in a prime physical and mental state to step-up for that injured Marc Marquez in Repsol Honda. That is if HRC wants him to do so, rather than their current test rider, Stefan Bradl.
Dovizioso's manager, Simone Battistella, suggest that his rider is good enough to accept task should Honda's world champion is not able to start the season the following month in Qatar. It's going to be a gruelling month for riders and teams and they have to endure one shakedown test, two official test sessions, and two rounds inside a short period of time at the same track.
So far, Dovi's manager has confirmed that HRC hasn't approached them at this time, but they're ready if the situation comes into play. According to Battistella, \”If (the phone call) arrives, Andrea is actually ready. He's training with motocross at an amateur level, but he is doing the work with your intensity as though it were in full pre-season MotoGP. We'll work this season to fully return in 2022.\”
\”As for Honda, of course, to begin with, I’d prefer to state that both Andrea and that i are very sorry about what is happening to Marc, it's clear that they are evaluating exactly when their rider can return,\” added Battistella. Stay tuned in for more updates.
