Written by Owen Bradley, edited by Scar Stewart
Andrea Dovizioso is officially retiring from MotoGP after the San Marino GP in Misano, his final home Grand Prix.
Andrea Dovizioso, a 24-Time Grand Prix winner, won the 2004 125cc World Championship, and finished runner-up in the premier class on three occasions. Dovizioso took a sabbatical in early 2021, after he was replaced at Factory Ducati, by Francesco Bagania. However, in 2021 he was announced as a test rider for Aprilia, and later that year - partnered Valentino Rossi, in his final season in MotoGP, aboard the Petronas Yamaha YZR-M1.
Andrea “Dovi” Dovizioso is regarded in the MotoGP paddock as a legend, especially with his battles against 8-Time World Champion, Marc Marquez.
Lin Jarvis, Managing Director of Yamaha Motor Racing, had this to say:
“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 will be missed in the paddock.”
Andrea Dovizioso spoke on the announcement: “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 it doing well.”
He continued, “Unfortunately, in recent years the MotoGP has changed a lot, and the situation has not been the same since, as I have always struggled with the bike, and I have not always been able to extract the maximum potential out of the bike.”
Cal Crutchlow is set to replace the Italian after the San Marino GP, alongside Darryn Binder.