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The concluding part of the Pietro Caprara interview - Chief Technician for JiR Team Scot in MotoGP and Andrea Dovizioso's crew chief - addresses topics such as what work goes on in the pits and how the bike is set up in testing and practice.

What has the transition from 990cc to 800cc been like?
“With the advent of the 990cc machines, this was initially greeted with many uncertainties related to the competitiveness of the machines, but soon we saw an escalation of the dizzying performance, which led to a reduction in engine capacity – all in the name of safety of the riders, as the power looked as if it was going to be difficult to manage. Since the switch, you watch the stopwatch and now the times are equalling the 990cc machines, but the intervention of important electronics has helped here. Security and safety is a factor to which the team, riders, Dorna and IRTA have given more and more attention.”

Engine, tyres and suspension are the three parameters that must be balanced with each other to the needs of the riders. Can you identify a priority among these elements?
“Certainly suspension and tyres hold a crucial role and must work in ‘balance', with each other. And – particularly in the light of the benefits that we have with today's tyres – the set up of the bike has to be made very carefully. It is no less important the role of an engine, but with the advent of the four-strokes, the electronic management is the core in order to maximise the performance of the bike tyres and suspension. ”

We often hear that there is no such thing as the perfect bike, but instead a rider must adapt to the machine to influence the results…
“Yes, it's true, but you can reach a good final compromise. In general we try to develop a balanced motorcycle, whose base is exploitable on all circuits. For sure, it is better to have a bike, which is adaptable, than one, which gives 100% but only under certain conditions. A rider of talent is an element that integrates into this context and he may be able to cover any gaps in the bike and ride around problems.”

During practice, in the final twenty minutes riders are battling together and locked in the frenzy of using qualifying tyres. In just one lap the rider must give his maximum. How do you adapt the bike for this and how much comes from the rider himself?