New Ducati boss eager to work with Andrea Dovizioso

New Ducati boss Gigi Dall’Igna says he is looking forward to finally getting the opportunity to work with experienced Italian rider Andrea Dovizioso in 2014.

Dall’Igna tried unsuccessfully to sign Dovizoso several times in the past but will now work closely with the former 125GP world champion to try and lead Ducati’s revival after a torrid 2013.

Dall’Igna quit Aprilia to take on the massive job of transforming Ducati’s dire fortunes, with the Bologna factory not scoring a single podium last season.

Dovizioso and Dall’Igna started working together for the first time during last week’s Valencia MotoGP test, where it was obvious again the size of the task both face to make the Desmosedici competitive again.

Dovizioso was 11th fastest and just one place and 0.214s clear of new teammate Cal Crutchlow.

Dall’Igna though said one of the things he is most looking forward to is the chance to link up with Dovizioso.

He said: “I would like to have worked with Andrea for many years in the past. I tried to find an agreement with him when I work in a different place, so I am really happy that he will now be on my side to help me develop the bike to get the results we expect.

“I don’t know Cal very well because he has a different way to arrive in MotoGP but he did a really good improvement in 2013 and I am really happy that he joined Ducati.”

Dovizioso said he was impressed with Dall’Igna’s approach during the Valencia test and he is excited at the prospect of a close relationship with the respected engineer to try and drag Ducati out of the doldrums.

The former Repsol Honda rider said: “His (Dall’Igna’s) direction is very soft. I don’t know a lot about him but he is really calm and doesn’t say too much. I think it is too early for him to understand everything. He doesn’t answer a lot. He is not a guy who speaks more than he needs to.

“He prefers to understand the maximum and then make something. But the feeling with Gigi is very good and really positive. I like that he doesn’t speak too much and just listens and when he speaks it is just for what has to be said.”