Andrea Dovizioso 'not in right frame of mind' for Valencia

Andrea Dovizioso has admitted he is not in the right frame of mind to race in this weekend’s season finale in Valencia following the tragic death of rival and fellow Italian Marco Simoncelli in Sepang.

Dovizioso and Simoncelli had raced together since childhood and the former 125GP world champion frequently criticised Simoncelli’s aggressive riding style after numerous battled in MotoGP.

But Dovizioso, who will partner Cal Crutchlow in the Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Team in 2012, has felt the loss of Simoncelli more than most because of his career long battles with the popular 24-year-old.

Simoncelli died from head, neck and chest injuries sustained in a crash on the second lap of the Malaysian Grand Prix on October 23. The San Carlo Gresini Honda rider was struck by Colin Edwards and Valentino Rossi and pronounced dead less than an hour after the accident.

Dovizioso confirmed he will pay tribute to Simoncelli by wearing a large number 58 on the chest of his leathers in Valencia and he said: “I’m very sad for the loss of Marco. I’m going to Valencia not in the right frame of mind for a race. I will wear Marco’s number 58 on the chest of my leathers, close to my heart, this is the only thing that counts. I have raced with Marco throughout my whole career, he was “the rival” and now that he is no longer with us, he has left a big void and I want to convert this feeling of emptiness to determination.”

Dovizioso will be trying to secure third place from team-mate Dani Pedrosa in the final championship standings this weekend. He is four-points clear of the Spaniard and he added: “I hope to get a good result at Valencia mainly because it is important for me to finish third in the Championship but I know the race will be difficult as it is not one of my favourite circuits and Dani is very strong there. Also, the GP of Valencia is my last race with Honda and I really would like to crown these ten years together with a good final race.”

Pedrosa said: “Valencia will be a very special race for everybody. This weekend we will all have Marco in our thoughts and I hope the fans show their respect and appreciation to him, as the whole MotoGP family will do.”