SBK, Iannone: “Ducati is the bike of my life"

Andrea Iannone has spent the last four years far from the racetracks. In 2019, he tested positive for doping - drostanolone – but is now able to race again after serving the penalty, a long period of disqualification, imposed by WADA. In 2024 the Italian will be a Superbike rider, competing as part of the Go Eleven team, with which he has recently completed a two-day test at Jerez aboard the Ducati Panigale V4 R.

How did your return to racing come about?

“I never considering not returning. That spark of speed and the desire to race has never gone out and has been with me throughout my career, up until today. I think that’s been crucial, having the strength to continue to train, to continue to look at bikes as a source of inspiration. It’s always been a dream for me to ride race bikes and that’s still the case today even though I’m a little older.”

You set the fifth fastest time in those tests – did you expect to do that?

“I had some initial doubts and was seeking answers. The tests went really well, I surprised myself, but it doesn’t mean we’re ready, that we can win. We made a good start, but we need to stay focused and not delude ourselves. We all know racing, nothing is a given. The road is long and it will be challenging. We have all decided to challenge ourselves”.

Iannone and Ducati: a strong relationship

You’re back on a Ducati, after the four years you spent in MotoGP from 2013 to 2016.

“Ducati is the bike with which I won my first MotoGP race, it’s the bike with which I went through hell at first before falling in love with it. It’s the bike of my life, no doubt about it. And the people at Ducati too - coming across the people I spent key moments with back then really lifts me up.”

How were the negotiations with Borgo Panigale?

“Ducati’s support is important. And it’s also been important in terms of my return. I met Gigi Dall’Igna (Ducati Corse general manager) at Misano. He looked me in the eyes and asked me: “How badly do you want to come back? You know it’ll be tough?” And I said: “Yeah, I know it’s very difficult, but you know me, you know that if I say something, I’ll do all I can to keep my word”. I can’t say I’ll do it, but I’ll give it my all. And from there we started to put it all together. And know we’re here. And I’m happy.”

Everyone said it would be very hard for you to return.

“And I agreed with them. Blessed is the best word for it, I think. I’m not easily shocked but this is how it’s gone, all good. It’s always hard to find those reflexes again after so long.”

Were you ready, physically speaking?

“I struggled on the bike. I had a problem with my arm. On the last day I took a break between one run and the next and spent at least 20 minutes in the garage because I didn’t have the strength that I’d had at the start of day one. There are muscles that you only use on a bike, and the race bike has drive and deceleration that a road bike doesn’t have.”

The lesson Iannone learned during his disqualification

How do you regard WorldSBK?

“The level is very high. The bike are on a level playing field. They have certain strengths while we have others. It’s a pleasure and an honour to be part of it next year. My rivals are strong. I’m sorry that there’s no Imola on the calendar and racing at Vallelunga wouldn’t have been bad either.”

How was your feeling during the tests?

“I just wanted to have fun. I wanted to enjoy it all– exiting the garage, my first lap, my first run. I was laughing inside my helmet, like a kid getting into mischief. It was important to find the feeling during this first test, rather than focusing on speed.”

How have you changed in recent years?

“I’ve realised that everything can change from one moment to the next. And this is a great lesson in life. One that perhaps no one really understands until it happens. I’m an eternal romantic, because I think that this way of thinking attracts positivity. I like to think like this, it energises me.”

Ducati is now a winner in both MotoGP and SBK, is that something you expected?

“Yes, I know how hard they’ve worked since Gigi came on board. They were working on Christmas Eve and were back there again on Boxing Day. They’ve pushed hard to get the Ducati to where it is today”.