With the next round of MotoGP’s being just around the corner, preparations now are taking place at the Sepang International Circuit to host this world-famous motorbike showdown. Featuring some fantastic riders ready to put their reputation on the line like Casey Stoner, Valentino Rossi and Jorge Lorenzo, the forecasted weather suggests that it might rain this whole weekend, but that will not stop them in putting up a good show. Special thanks to Motul and High-N Lubricants for setting up the interview.
Amidst their hectic schedule and a busier weekend ahead, we were privileged to spend some time with the Yamaha Tech 3 riders, Andrea Dovizioso and Cal Crutchlow for a short media interview session at the Sepang International Circuit.
Andrea Dovizioso
Q: The tragedy that occurred at last year’s MotoGP was very unfortunate. Being so, are there any different preparation being done for this year’s race?
Andrea: No, the preparation is the same and with something bad happened like with Simoncelli last year, everyone would just have to carry on. We still have the same preparation, target and goal as everyone else. Of course, the memory of Simoncelli is still on everyone’s mind, especially for me as he was a big rival for me since a long time ago. It is a big loss.
Q: This is going to be your last season riding with Yamaha, so what is your preparation in moving to Ducati next year?
Andrea: I can do nothing about that. I will just be focusing in getting the best result with Yamaha because I really want to have more podium finishes and getting a better result than the third position; my best position this year. We had already made six podiums so we had made a good job, and we are aiming for more in the next few races. But for Ducati, there is nothing much I can do.
Q: Previously, you rode on Japanese machines like Honda and Yamaha. But for the next season, you will be jumping to a different machine. Do you think you can adapt?
Andrea: Before one actually tries the bike, you could not actually know how Ducati bikes are going to be like. You have to understand on how it is a different bike. I try not to think too much about it as it will not change anything.
Q: you have been fighting relentlessly to reach the podium during the whole season, what would you need to change to win the fight?
Andrea: Fighting for the victory is difficult in any conditions, regardless in any bike. And with Casey, Danny and Lorenzo fighting for the championship, they are so fast and they are riding on the factory bikes. So you need the factory bikes and being in the factory team, because when you are in the factory team, you can work to try and improve the bike and actually adapting the bike to your style. When you are in a satellite team, you have to put more effort in adapting to the bike compared to the factory team. Developing the bike for this weekend’s race is really challenging, but it is the only way to be on top in MotoGP.
Q: Do you think Sepang is far more challenging than the other tracks you have raced on?
Andrea: Depending on your riding style and if you actually like the track. It does not matter whether if it is harder or easier; those are not important in getting the result. If you like the track and know the best line through it, those are the main point. Malaysia (Sepang) is one of my favorite tracks. I love it. You could go fast, and it is so fun especially in MotoGP. You can use the maximum power and reaching the redline. It is really nice to ride here.
Q: Taking into account of the possibility in having a wet weather race, how is the tire choice for your team?
Andrea: We have to understand the tires first, especially when it is different from last year. Judging from the last few races, everybody is going to the soft tires because the grip is better. So maybe there is a possibility in using such tires.
Q: You and Cal Crutchlow had some hard battles throughout this season on the track. What are his good points, and yours, while we are still in the subject?
Andrea: His good point is the entry speed; he is really fast. So when you are fighting with him, he can stay really close to you. My strength on the other hand is braking, and with these two you could see a strong fighting going between us.
Cal Crutchlow
Q: What are your goals for the next three seasons?
Cal: I think we need to go through the last part strong; we are in fifth place in the championship. I think we made a good season so far, so the last three races are important, crucial.
Q: Andrea was asked earlier about the hard battles that you guys had this season. How do you guys stay friends off the track?
Cal: Just because we have the battle on the track, it makes no difference to us as people. We are still normal human beings, you do not have to hate each other and we have no problem in the team. I think it is good for the championship to have a rivalry like this.
Q: You are going to have a new teammate next year; what kind of advice would you give to him for his first season?
Cal: Stay calm, because he would not be winning against these guys immediately. So he needs to take the time to build up and enjoy it because if you do not, it is going to be a big disaster. If he is, I think it is going to be very good.
Q: Are you ready to race in weather like this in Sepang?
Cal: It is difficult. But the thing is, everybody’s in the same boat; we all have the same weather so nobody’s in an advantage. So if it rains for me, it rains for the other riders. It is going to be a tricky situation; maybe for the race if we have no wet weather, and then it suddenly rains in the race, it is going to be a disaster. We will see later on in the race.
Q: You are the most successful British rider in the last few years, what makes you different from the ones that had come and gone?
Cal: I am better (laughs). I think motivation, wanting to succeed, I push myself a lot and try to learn a lot, you have to build up and be patient. I think this is the key.
Q: You were also a production champion a few years ago; how different is it compared to riding a GP bike?
A: A lot different. It is like driving a Formula One car and driving a Ford Focus or something like that. It has a big difference because one is a GP, and the other is a Production. So it is the same as the cars; they are never the same. You do not see a Formula One car on the road.
Q: What has been the hardest thing to adapt to for GP bikes?
Cal: The riding style of the GP bikes. You can ride a bike, but you have to change your style, and it is really difficult after riding for 20-25 years and having to change your style because you have this style from young. So now, to change is difficult but you have to make yourself. Maybe this is where the other British riders did not want to change.
Q: How do you find Sepang compared to the other tracks?
Cal: I like it here. It is wide, it is a good circuit. They should turn the heat down a bit though in the day, it is difficult for the rider obviously. It has a bit of everything, maybe not so much elevation, but we have fast corners, slow corner, long straight, short straight, it is good. You have a variety of different things and it is not so bad for every bike, where they all work quite well here. The Yamaha worked good, the Honda worked good, the Ducati worked okay, I think it will make a good fight. The other tracks are a lot smaller.
Q: Referring to the tragedy that occurred here last year, is it a traumatic event for you?
Cal: No, it was an unfortunate incident and a difficult situation for everybody but you have to approach the weekend the same. We come here to race, and hopefully we will make a good show.
Despite some setbacks like the uncertain weather, both of the riders appeared to be in great spirits and are looking confident in putting all their best in this Sunday’s race. If you had yet got your hands on the tickets for the event, the chances of you getting any in the last minute are very thin as most of them had already been sold out. Anyhow, we will be bringing you the results of the race later on, so do stay tuned with us!
