Loris Capirossi is one of Dorna’s safety advisors (along with Franco Uncini) and the former MotoGP rider has tipped Dani Pedrosa to be one of the 2013 title contendors with Jorge Lorenzo – which is not exactly a difficult prediction considering the level of the two riders and with Casey Stoner now retired.
In an interview with the Gazzetta dello Sport, Capirossi said “If Pedrosa starts with the same determination with which he ended the season he’ll be the number one contender for the title, along with Lorenzo, of course.
” Pedrosa started the 2012 season very carefully, but he like Stoner, suffered from chatter due to the weight increase and the new Bridgestone tires which did not agree with the RC213V and according to an interview with Shuhei Nakamoto with Bikesportnews.
com, the Spaniard was forced to change his riding style to compensate for the weight transfer during acceleration and that compromised his title chances.
Regarding Valentino Rossi’s chances of taking home the championship title now that he is back with Yamaha, Capirex said, “Valentino is a friend of mine and I think he will be competitive on a winning bike.
At Valencia I had the opportunity to do a few laps with the Yamaha for which I’d like to thank them, and I realized how competitive it is.
Vale will regain his enthusiasm, even if beating Jorge and Dani will be very difficult but I believe he can win races, but regarding the title I just don’t know but if he should succeed we should all bow down.
“ Regarding Ducati, Capirossi doesn’t make any predications except to wish luck to Andrea Dovizioso who is stepping down from a Honda and Yamaha onto a bike that “at the moment is inferior” and also wishes luck to Andrea Iannone who will have to grow.