In the year It was Andrea Dovizioso who challenged Marc Marquez in the late 2010s, but unfortunately could not beat him.
At the time Honda Having won one of every title bar from 2012 to 2019, they were still mighty and at the top of their game.
Ducati They were starting to come into their own, but they wouldn’t reap the rewards of their work until a few years down the line in 2022.
then, Dovizioso He retired, and Marquez He wanted to reinvent himself, which he certainly did now, but their incredible rivalry would linger in the memory. They have had some great battles.
Do you think Andrea Dovizioso was Marc Marquez’s closest rival during the Honda years?
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Only two riders in history have matched Marquez.According to David Tardozzi, he had the pleasure of working with him for 12 months.
A former rival sent the Spaniard a warning. Jorge Lorenzo Marquez says he cannot resist ageing. And no matter how hard it seems, it will fail at some point.
Read more: A Ducati fan’s banner reveals Tifosi have changed their minds about Marc Marquez
Andrea Dovizioso says the ‘only way’ to beat Marc Marquez is by creating conditions.
Dovizioso changed ‘immediately’ after seeing Marquez On the Honda and the way to control the front of the bike.
He thinks Ducati ‘didn’t understand’ who Marquez was. Until you have the pleasure of working with him in 2025.
Along the way, he’s as scared as anyone. That meant Dovizioso had to create a conflict while fighting him.
Speaking in Matt Oxley’s autobiography Mark The Magnificent, he explains how the seven-time champion booked him in a title fight with him.
“The way I managed Mark during those times, all those battles were pretty cool,” he said. “I managed them perfectly, and I found the key to fight against a strong, smart and talented rider.
Because I understand Mark, I know what he can do, so I try to create situations, thinking how he will react to those situations, that is the only way to beat him, and it works.
How close did Andrea Dovizioso come to beating Marc Marquez?
Dovizioso made a few attempts to beat Marquez but was unable to beat him. He just didn’t have the bike.
In the year In 2017, both had six wins, but the Italian rider was four times less consistent than his rival.
And that counted for a lot at the end of the campaign, because while Marquez only managed 37 points, another trophy or two would make a big difference.
But in the 2010s, it put him under more pressure than anyone else for a long time. In fact Dovizioso has taught Marquez not to underestimate any opponent..
