MotoGP: Andrea Dovizioso to Test Yamaha YZR-M1 in Misano

Former Ducati star Andrea Dovizioso will be back on the Yamaha M1 this week for a private MotoGP test session at Misano. Dovizioso, who gained recognition as a championship contender during his eight-year tenure with Ducati, concluded his MotoGP career with the Petronas SRT Yamaha team. In this test, he will be stepping in for Yamaha’s injured factory test rider Cal Crutchlow, who is currently sidelined due to complications from hand surgery. Crutchlow’s recovery has already forced him to miss planned wild-card appearances at Mugello and Silverstone. Yamaha hopes to leverage Dovizioso’s experience and technical expertise, particularly given his pivotal role in transforming Ducati into a race-winning team in the mid-2010s.

Andrea Dovizioso said: 'I am sorry that Cal is still not well, and I hope he recovers quickly. Having said that, I am happy and excited to have the chance to get on a MotoGP bike again, and I would like to thank Yamaha for this opportunity. I hope I will be able to make my contribution to the development of the bike.'

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Factory riders Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins will participate in the Misano test, coming straight from the Austrian Grand Prix, where Yamaha had its first pointless weekend in over two years. Both riders will test new components as the team looks for ways to improve performance.

MotoGP: Yamaha's 2024 Season

Yamaha, now a 'Rank D' manufacturer under the new concession rules, is making use of its six wildcard entries this season. Originally, three of these were assigned to Cal Crutchlow, but when he couldn't race at Silverstone, World Superbike rider Remy Gardner stepped in.

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Andrea Dovizioso's return comes at a crucial time for Yamaha, following a tough Austrian Grand Prix. The team has faced significant challenges this season, so Dovizioso's experience is especially valuable. Despite their strong history, Yamaha’s riders Fabio Quartararo and Alex Rins have only scored 57 points combined after 11 rounds, falling short of expectations.

Yamaha is using its concession status to focus on testing and development. Additionally, a new partnership with Pramac will expand their presence on the MotoGP grid to four bikes next season. These steps are aimed at turning the team’s performance around.