No Honda call, but Dovizioso would be ready for Qatar

Andrea Dovizioso would be ready and available for pre-season testing and a return to the grid during the 2021 MotoGP season, should Honda call in search of a replacement for injured world champion Marc Marquez.

The Italian's manager Simone Battistella also says they would respond positively to the offer of an initial 'evaluation' by HRC during the upcoming Qatar tests.

"To get to know each other and understand how Andrea is doing with that bike, I would say yes," Battistella told SkySport.it. "We are talking about a winning bike and a rider who has always been very strong in Qatar; the combination would intrigue fans…"

But for now, no contact from Honda has been made and test rider Stefan Bradl, who replaced Marquez last season, still seems to be 'Plan A' if the Spaniard cannot ride.

"Not yet, but if [the call from Honda comes] Andrea is really ready," Battistella said. "He is training for motocross at an amateur level but he is doing it with such intensity as if he were in full pre-season MotoGP. We will work this year to fully return to 2022."

Marquez has undergone three operations since breaking his right arm in last July's Jerez season-opener.

A plate fitted to hold the initial fracture broke shortly afterwards due to the stress of an attempted return, while a third operation was then needed when the bone failed to heal due to infection.

The eight-time world champion continues to undergo antibiotic treatment and Battistella believes February will be crucial in terms of whether the #93 takes part in testing and/or the start of the season, on March 28..

"As for Honda, of course both Andrea and I are very sorry about what is happening to Marc, it is clear that they are evaluating exactly when their rider can return. In my opinion, rightly, they are afraid of doing mistakes in such a delicate situation. Next month will be crucial for their decisions.

"For our part, we have rejected all the proposals from test riders to be free to do something else, but also ready to return to the starting grid. "

While Honda remains silent on Marquez's possible return, it surely won’t even be considered until the current infection has been eradicated and fracture fully sealed.

Only then is Marquez likely to be seen training on a motorcycle again, the first tangible sign he is nearing a MotoGP comeback.

"Honestly, I don't expect Honda to let Dovi start the world championship and then stop him midway through or towards the end of the season. The hypothesis of starting alongside Pol Espargaro and then adding a third bike when Marquez returns is also not feasible... so I don't think there are so many variables that we can explore," Battistella added, perhaps suggesting that if Dovizioso is hired it would be for the entire 2021 season.

"Let's wait while Andrea, very calmly, works with the seriousness and commitment that distinguishes him."

But as things currently stand Dovizioso - a  Qatar podium finisher for Ducati from 2015-2019 and title runner-up to Marquez from 2017-2019 and - faces watching the season-opener from the sidelines.

"The thought of following the double races in Qatar from the sofa at home might not be easy... Assuming Dovi is not on a motocross track at that time," said Battistella.