After a long, fruitful but less than easy eight-year relationship with Ducati, Andrea Dovizioso opted to take a sabbatical last year, in the hope of receiving a good offer with which to return to MotoGP next year. The world championship began its summer break with a market bombshell, or rather the Maverick Vinales-Yamaha split, which now opens up new possibilities for the Italian.

Yamaha vs. Aprilia

With this split, and Valentino Rossi’s imminent decision about his future, the Iwata manufacturer is in the middle of a market cyclone, and the Italian may well be interested in a seat. Either on the factory team or the Petronas team.

That’s if he can't come to an agreement with Aprilia, with whom he’s completed three tests and has a fourth in the planning. The two parties are working together, have got to know each other and definitely have more of an idea than they did – could this make for an all-Italian marriage? Or might they decide to continue to work on the fringes of the championship, with Dovizioso as test rider?

MotoGP, Albesiano: “Dovizioso has really helped Aprilia”

Road block

What is certain is the Dovizioso and KTM are not about to cross paths, something that director Pit Beirer confirmed while talking to Speedweek: “He remains a friend, but we won’t negotiate with him”. So the only concrete options for the three-time runner-up lie with Yamaha and Aprilia. Unless there are any further shake-ups ahead of next season.

Translated by Heather Watson

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