Aprilia engineer raves: "Dovizioso was not afraid"

As technical coordinator of the Aprilia test team, Giovanni Mattarollo worked closely with MotoGP legend Andrea Dovizioso in the 2021 season. Although the Italian only completed six test sessions for the manufacturer from Noale, he left a lasting impression on the engineer.

"We completed six test sessions together. Dovizioso was a fantastic test rider because he provided an enormous amount of technical feedback," recalls Mattarollo in an exclusive interview with SPEEDWEEK.com.

Dovizioso showed courage to take unusual paths

The Aprilia engineer was particularly impressed by the approach of the three-time MotoGP runner-up. Dovizioso did not limit himself to analysing problems, but repeatedly challenged the technicians to take bold paths.

"What made him special was that he was not afraid to try out extreme solutions. He often said: 'Don't be afraid to try something radical. If you want to make the bike longer, then make it longer. Let's understand what happens."

Giovanni Mattarollo

Foto: Gold & Goose

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For Mattarollo, it was precisely this combination of analytical thinking and openness to experimentation that was a decisive factor in the development work. "He combined very precise feedback with an open-minded attitude towards experiments, which is extremely valuable during development," emphasises the Italian.

It is not without reason that Andrea Dovizioso is often referred to as an "engineer on two wheels" in the MotoGP paddock. An assessment that Mattarollo wholeheartedly agrees with.

"Definitely. He was incredibly analytical and precise. He could explain exactly what the bike was doing, but at the same time he encouraged us to test ideas without being afraid of making mistakes. This combination made him a very effective development rider," enthused Mattarollo.

Aprilia & Dovizioso: The end came after six test sessions

The collaboration between Aprilia and Dovizioso ended after the six test sessions. Aprilia's race director Massimo Rivola's wish to sign the Italian as a permanent test rider did not materialise. Instead, "Dovi" decided to return to Yamaha. He contested the last five races of the 2021 MotoGP season for the Petronas team after Maverick Vinales left the Yamaha factory team and Franco Morbidelli was promoted to the factory team.

With his appearances, Dovizioso recommended himself for a regular cockpit in the 2022 season, but the hoped-for success story failed to materialise. The Italian fell well short of expectations and was replaced by Cal Crutchlow after 14 race weekends. His best result during this time was eleventh place.