Andrea Dovizioso announces sabbatical from MotoGP

MotoGP

Andrea Dovizioso will not be on the MotoGP grid in 2021 after rejecting the option of being a test rider

Andrea Dovizioso, 2020 Valencia GP

Dovizioso will step away from MotoGP next season

Steve Wobser/Getty Images

Andrea Dovizioso has announced he will be taking a sabbatical from MotoGP racing next season.

The Italian had already confirmed he would not be re-signing with Ducati for next year and says that he has turned down multiple offers from other teams to be a test-rider in 2021.

Aprilia was reportedly his most realistic option, after Andrea Iannone’s drugs ban was upheld, but Dovizioso has not expressed any interest in taking up the ride alongside Aleix Espargaró next year.

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The Italian said, in a statement posted on social media, that he would be taking the upcoming season off to work on projects away from MotoGP but would remain available for any potential rides.

A year out will bring his 13-year stint in the premier class to an end. His 15 wins make him the second most decorated rider to not win the world championship behind Dani Pedrosa.

“This is what I’m going to do in 2021,” he wrote. “Over the last few months, I have received several offers to work as a test rider in developing MotoGP projects and I am grateful for the consideration received by the manufacturers. However, I have decided not to make any commitments and to remain free from formal agreements for now.

 

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🇬🇧 THIS IS WHAT I’M GOING TO DO IN 2021 Over the last few months, I have received several offers to work as a test rider in developing MotoGP projects and I am grateful for the consideration received by the manufacturers. However, I have decided not to make any commitments and to remain free from formal agreements for now. I have an immense passion for racing. I still have the ambition to compete and fight to win. I will return to MotoGP as soon as I find a project driven by the same passion and ambition that I have and within an organization that shares my same objectives, values ​​and working methods. Now I am focused on finishing the World Championship in the best possible way, and I have already started developing some projects with my partners. 🇮🇹 ECCO COSA FARÓ NEL 2021 Nel corso degli ultimi mesi ho ricevuto le proposte di alcune Case per partecipare nel 2021 come test rider al lavoro di sviluppo dei loro progetti in MotoGP. La cosa mi ha fatto molto piacere e sono grato per la considerazione ricevuta. Nonostante queste opportunità ho deciso di non prendere nessun impegno e di rimanere libero per ora da accordi formali. Ho un’immensa passione per le gare e ho ancora l’ambizione di voler correre e lottare per la vittoria. Tornerò quindi in MotoGP se e quando troverò un progetto guidato da altrettanta passione e ambizione e all’interno di un’organizzazione che condivida obiettivi, valori e metodo di lavoro. Ora sono focalizzato nel terminare il mondiale nel miglior modo possibile e ho gia’ iniziato a sviluppare alcuni progetti con i miei partners per il futuro. #Dovi04 #AD04 #undaunted #ForzaDucati #MotoGP #Alpinestars #SuomyHelmets #RedBull #Biotekna #Mondottica #DucatiEyewear #lentidavistaGalileo #MucOff 📷 @calloalbanese

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“I have an immense passion for racing. I still have the ambition to compete and fight to win. I will return to MotoGP as soon as I find a project driven by the same passion and ambition that I have and within an organization that shares my same objectives, values ​​and working methods.

“Now I am focused on finishing the World Championship in the best possible way, and I have already started developing some projects with my partners.”