Andrea Iannone is among the front runners on his debut in the Superbike World Championship – He narrowly misses out on second place on the podium in the second Australian race
“We finished this weekend with positive energy,” said a delighted Andrea Iannone. After a four-year ban, the former MotoGP rider returned to the top of the world with fireworks. On his debut in the Superbike World Championship in Australia, the Italian was among the front runners
He already took second place in Superpole. Iannone, who rides a Ducati Panigale V4R for the GoEleven team, caused a sensation in the very first race on Phillip Island with third place. He was also at the front in the Superpole race, but then had to slow down.
The rubber on the left grip had come loose. Iannone no longer had an optimal feeling and dropped back to 14th place. “In race 2, the feeling with the first tire was really very good, but I lost that with the second.”
“Maybe it was due to the cooler temperatures,” Iannone puzzled as to why it was no longer optimal at the restart. “In any case, my feeling was worse.” Nevertheless, the 34-year-old once again battled with the leading group.
On the last lap, he battled with his compatriot Danilo Petrucci for fourth place. As Andrea Locatelli crashed off the Yamaha in front of them, he finished third. Petrucci finally prevailed against Iannone.
Nevertheless, he was very satisfied with fourth place: “I’m not frustrated. When there is a chance for more, of course you are not completely satisfied. But it was still an incredible comeback. I don’t want to speak negatively.”
“It’s difficult because all the riders are fast. The Kawasaki was also very fast on the straights, the BMW is fast. The level is very high. I enjoy it a lot. It was a magical, special weekend! Maybe it will be even better in Barcelona.”
The fact that Iannone was immediately able to show a high level of sporting performance again after a four-year break was noticed worldwide – especially in his home country of Italy, where he made headlines: “I am happy that I am so well supported by the fans. Thanks to Ducati, my team and my fans. “
In the past two years, Philipp Öttl rode for the GoEleven team. The German was able to show some highlights, but never made it onto the podium. The fact that it has now worked out right away with Iannone is a special event for the team.
“Andrea has surprised everyone,” says Team Manager Denis Sacchetti. “I don’t think anyone would have expected him to be so strong already. I have to congratulate him! What happened in the Superpole race wasn’t supposed to happen.”
“We missed a chance there. In the second race, the tire didn’t work like the first one at the restart. But Andrea gave everything and finished fourth. We are flying home very satisfied and are looking forward to the future even more.”
The race continues at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya at the end of March. Before that, there are two more days of testing there, which will be very important for a rookie like Iannone. “We’ll see,” he looks ahead. “I’ve never ridden this bike and these tires in Barcelona before. It will be a new experience for me. We will prepare the weekend and I hope we are at a good level. “
