Andrea Dovizioso nearing future decision

Andrea Dovizioso is confident he will have decided on his 2015 plans by the next race in Assen, with Ducati and Suzuki leading the chase for the Italian’s signature.

The dilemma for the former 125GP world champion is which factory he trusts the most to build a competitive bike for next season.

Suzuki is returning to MotoGP for the first time since 2011 next season, but doubt remains about how competitive the new machine will be against Japanese rivals Honda and Yamaha.

And it would be a huge gamble to stay with Ducati too, with Dovizioso having to place his trust in new Ducati boss Gigi Dall’Igna to roll out a machine capable of ending a disastrous lack of success.

It seems that Dovizioso will make his choice between Ducati and Suzuki, despite rumoured late interest from Gresini Honda to replace Alvaro Bautista emerging during last weekend’s Catalunya round in Barcelona.

He said: “I am speaking to Ducati about a renewal. The goal has always been to win with Ducati, but these have been two difficult years and the results not what we expected.

“The positive side is that next year there will be a new project done by the people who have managed to improve the Desmosedici in recent months. But I have to take it at face value because I can’t try the new material before signing.

“It will be another bet. I am sure they will make a step forward, but we don’t know how great it will be. It’s a decision based on the confidence that you have for people who are working on a new project.”

Asked about his talks with Suzuki, Dovizioso added: “It is normal when you are out of contract but I still don’t have enough information to take a decision. I think by Assen more or less will be the time.”

Ducati boss Gigi Dall’Igna has made it clear he wants to keep Dovizioso, while his speed and experience has made him a top target to lead Suzuki’s return to MotoGP next season for the first time since 2011.