Andrea Dovizioso was unfortunate to come up against Marc Marquez during one of the most dominant streaks in MotoGP history.
Between 2017 and 2019, the ex-Ducati rider finished runner-up behind the Spaniard, missing his big chance in the first of those seasons.
With three rounds to go, Dovizioso trailed Marquez by just 11 points and had a real chance of going all the way. However, a retirement, 13th and fourth place did not help his charge.
His Honda-backed rival would manage three top-four finishes, which were easily enough to see him to a fourth MotoGP title.
Dovizioso thinks Marquez is losing an ‘absurd’ trait despite dominating the sport with Ducati in 2025. He has won each of the last 10 races (including sprints).
Even ex-rival Jorge Lorenzo believes Marquez has one weakness which undermines his ‘natural talent’ on a motorcycle.
READ MORE: Ducati director highlights the biggest difference between signing Marc Marquez and Valentino Rossi
Photo by Quality Sport Images/Getty ImagesAndrea Dovizioso was left so ‘angry’ with Marc Marquez after Austrian Grand Prix dive
Heading into the 2017 Austrian Grand Prix, Marquez had a slender lead at the top of the standings over Dovizioso.
With nearly two-thirds of the season down, he was in a strong vein of form, coming off back-to-back victories for the first time that campaign.
A tense battle saw him and Dovizioso separated by mere tenths approaching the final corner on the last lap. Those who know the Spielberg circuit know that the last turn is not an overtaking opportunity.
But Dovizioso knew his rival too well and anticipated a dive, managing to avoid his desperate efforts to win the race.
According to the Independent, he was still ‘angry’ after the race, despite knowing exactly what Marquez would attempt to do.
What happened to Andrea Dovizioso after the 2017 MotoGP season?
Dovizioso would remain with Ducati until the end of the 2020 season, winning again in his final season at Austria, which would be his only victory of the campaign.
He took a sabbatical in 2021, but then opted to return halfway through the season with Yamaha SRT to replace Franco Morbidelli, who had been promoted to the factory team.
He remained there through a rebrand in 2022, but suffered a miserable campaign and retired at the end of the San Marino Grand Prix.
Cal Crutchlow replaced him for the rest of the season, and he hasn’t returned to the sport to this day. Sadly, he was never quite able to become champion.