The Ducati Team riders Andrea Dovizioso and Danilo Petrucci finally got back in the saddle of the Desmosedici GP20 bikes for a day of pre-race testing, ahead of the official start of the 2020 MotoGP season this weekend at the same circuit of Jerez de la Frontera.
The two 90-minute sessions were an excellent opportunity for teams and riders to find the rhythm again after the four-month-long forced break caused by the coronavirus emergency. For Dovizioso, recovering from a left collarbone injury, today was also an opportunity to confirm his physical conditions, after being declared fit to participate in the Grand Prix during the medical check-up carried out at the circuit the day before.
The rider from Forlì, who finished 15th overall in 1:38.779, was satisfied with his first day in Jerez. In addition to being physically ready, Andrea and his team have been able to set the base on which they will work in the coming days ahead of Sunday’s race.
His teammate Danilo Petrucci, however, was more unfortunate today, as he was the victim after only four laps in the afternoon of a nasty crash at Turn 11, caused by the presence of oil on the track. The rider from Terni, who had managed to pick up good sensations during the morning, was forced to miss the rest of the second session due to a light head concussion with muscle strains that he suffered during the accident. Petrucci ended the day in the 21st position overall in 1:39.249.
The Ducati Team riders will be back out on track this Friday at 9:55 a.m. local time (GMT +2.00) for the first free practice session of the Spanish Grand Prix scheduled for this Sunday.
Andrea Dovizioso (#04 Ducati Team) – 15th (1:38.779)
“After these four months of break, today turned out to be crucial, and I’m pleased with how it went. Thanks to the work I have done at home after the collarbone surgery, I was able to arrive here in the ideal conditions to do a good test. I found a particular feeling: the temperatures are high, the tyres different than last year and we spent a lot of time without riding. Thanks to this test, we can now focus on the important aspects of the race without wasting time.”
Danilo Petrucci (#9 Ducati Team) – 21st (1:39.249)
“It was a hectic day, but I’m happy because I was able to regain the feeling with the Desmosedici GP right away. This morning I was quite satisfied with the work done and even this afternoon I was doing a nice lap before the crash. Unfortunately, the bike in front of me lost some oil, and I couldn’t avoid the crash. I slipped out at turn 11 and hit my head hard. Fortunately, I didn’t get injured, but I preferred not to risk this afternoon and rest ahead of the race weekend”.
