“For every end, there is always a new beginning”. There’s a lot of truth in this phrase from Antoine de Saint-Exupèry’s The Little Prince. A new beginning will always await us, even after the toughest and most complicated of endings. In all aspects of life, the even the world of sport, and Andrea Dovizioso is the perfect example. After a turbulent split with Ducati and a sabbatical, the Italian is now ready to start over.

Everything is in place

He said he’d return if the situation was right for him, or rather only if he came across an interesting, solid and stimulating project. And so it was that, just as he was getting muddy on the MX bike, having the time of his life, an offer capable of sparking his curiosity fell right into his hands. Specifically, the Yamaha M1 of new privateer team WithU RNF. Exactly the situation he was looking for then, one built on trust, attention to detail and balance. Hence, his decision to return to the world stage. And, last but not least, he will be supported by one of the most prestigious crew chiefs, a certain Ramon Forcada who knows the M1 inside out and has an enviable CV (that includes no less than three world titles with Jorge Lorenzo).

His focus is not on results

“Dovi” will be the ‘oldest’ on the grid but, instead of facing up to a career in gradual decline, as might generally be the case, he is now enjoying a second youth. The goal? Just one – to have fun. To experience the joy of riding on asphalt again, to enjoy the experience despite having to adapt to the new bike and work hard. But if he’s able to achieve his goal, then perhaps this second coming could see him back where we were so used to seeing him during the golden years, up at the sharp end and fighting for prestigious results. Will he do it? Only the track can provide an answer to this question of course. That’s how it is in motorcycling. But there’s no denying the 35-year old’s talent or the fact that the situation is right. Now it’s all in his hands.

Translated by Heather Watson

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