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Dovizioso to work on braking performance ahead of MotoGP 2016

Works Ducati MotoGP rider Andrea Dovizioso will work on the braking performance of his Desmosedici during the first set of tests at Sepang in order to get back the momentum he showed at the start of this season.

The Italian put in some strong results at the start of 2015 but crashes, technical problems and not being able to stop the GP15 as he needed to saw him slip down the championship points table.

“We had a strong first part of the season with four podium finishes in the first five races. Firstly because the GP15 is a machine with a very competitive base, but also because - in my opinion - the two Yamaha and Honda factory riders were not at their 100 per cent at the beginning of the season,” said Dovizioso, speaking to bikesportnews.com

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“During the championship, they have brought to the limit their talent and their bike. The fierce fight of Marc Marquez with Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo battling until the last race has raised the level even higher.

“Circuits like Qatar, Austin or Argentina were particularly favourable for the GP15, but the reality is the current one. The MotoGP level is so high that our project is still in its infancy and has much to work on. Our base is very competitive, but we miss some details. The machine went on track only in March and some limits emerged during the races. We had some technical problems that are normal for a young bike such as ours.

“Our power is unbelievable, and that gives us a big advantage, especially on the straights. But also our wheelie – our balance – is very good. When we have to exit a corner with a low gear, we can accelerate very well. The biggest limit we have, especially for my style, is braking stability. I really need strong braking. I use the braking to have the speed – to go fast – but our limit is too high for this.

“Ducati are working a lot to try to understand which point we have to change to improve stability. The rear “jumps” too easily, and you have to release pressure on the brakes. My main problem is that I am not able to use my strong point to the maximum, which has always been my braking. I’m not so good in the middle of the corner. It is the reason why I struggle, especially from the middle of the season.

“The bike improved a lot since last year. Turning was the weak point of the old bike. When you released the brake, the bike didn’t turn. We fixed that with the new bike. With that limit, you could do a lap with a new tyre, but you couldn’t have a good pace for the race. But, like almost always, when you improve some point, you lose another.”

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