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Andrea Dovizioso To Retire from MotoGP after 2022 San Marino GP

August 5, 2022

August 5, 2022—Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd. confirm MotoGP star Andrea Dovizioso’s decision to retire from his 20-year Grand Prix racing career at the 2022 Gran Premio di San Marino e della Riviera di Rimini, exactly one year after joining Yamaha’s MotoGP program.

Dovizioso and Yamaha have maintained a warm relationship since he completed a successful season with the Tech3 Yamaha satellite team in 2012, resulting in six third places and fourth place in the final standings. He rejoined Yamaha’s satellite rider line-up at the 2021 San Marino GP when Franco Morbidelli moved up to the Factory team. Dovizioso was originally planning to stay with the RNF MotoGP Racing Team for the entire 2022 MotoGP season, riding a factory-spec YZR-M1 and receiving full support from Yamaha Motor Co., Ltd., but recently decided to end his career at his Misano home race.

Yamaha’s official test rider Cal Crutchlow will be the substitute rider in the WithU Yamaha RNF MotoGP Team for the remaining 6 races of the 2022 season.

Lin Jarvis – Yamaha Motor Racing Managing Director
“I want to start by saying that, of course, we are all sad that Andrea will be leaving the sport earlier than expected. He is a big name in MotoGP, and he will be missed in the paddock. We considered ourselves very lucky last year that he was available and willing to join our MotoGP program when Franky switched to the Yamaha Factory Team thus creating the need for a replacement rider for the remainder of the 2021 season. Andrea’s great expertise, experience and methodical nature were of great interest to Yamaha and the RNF team and the project was fixed to include the full 2022 season. Unfortunately, Andrea has struggled to extract the maximum potential out of the M1 and thus the results have not been forthcoming which has created understandable frustration for Andrea. Finally during the summer break, he confirmed to us his desire to retire before the end of the season.
After mutual discussions it was deemed appropriate for Andrea to ride his final race in Misano at his home GP. Naturally, Yamaha will continue to give ‘Dovi’ their full support over the next three races. In the meantime, let’s enjoy his last 3 races and celebrate in Misano the end of a spectacular career.”

Andrea Dovizioso
“I thank Lin for his words, I totally agree with them. In 2012, the experience with the Iwata manufacturer in MotoGP had been very positive for me and since then I have always thought that, sooner or later, I would have liked to have an official contract with Yamaha. This possibility presented itself, actually in a somewhat daring way, during 2021. I decided to give it a try because I strongly believed in this project and in the possibility of doing well. Unfortunately, in recent years the MotoGP has changed profoundly. The situation is very different since then: I have never felt comfortable with the bike, and I have not been able to make the most of its potential despite the precious and continuous help from the team and the whole of Yamaha. The results were negative, but beyond that, I still consider it a very important life experience. When there are so many difficulties, you need to have the ability to manage the situation and your emotions well. We did not reach the desired objectives, but the consultations with the Yamaha technicians and with those of my team have always been positive and constructive, both for them and for me. The relationship remained loyal and professionally interesting even in the most critical moments: it was not so obvious that that would happen.
For all this and for their support, I thank Yamaha, my team and WithU, and the other sponsors involved in the project. It didn't go as we hoped, but it was right to try. My adventure will end in Misano, but the relationship with all the people involved in this challenge will remain intact forever. Thank you all.”