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Andrea Iannone is back! A week ago, the Maniac inaugurated his new Superbike adventure and did it with Go Eleven, the team led by Gianni Ramello, who decided to entrust him with the Panigale V4 for his new debut.
During the Andalusian test, Iannone only spoke about the technical aspect, focusing on his sensations. Today, in Milan, he wanted to tell the story of the human challenge he had to face during these four years of disqualification.
“Jerez was a positive test,” he began. “I’m happy with the sensations, but I certainly can’t relax, because we have a great, complex, and challenging year ahead of us. I already knew this before I started, but I got my confirmation on the track. We’re here to test and, inside of me, I really want to get in the game.”
How hard has it been not to give up feeling like a rider in these past four years?
“I’ve always done everything very naturally. I'd wake up in the morning, train, and then everything happened normally. If the opposite had happened, I probably wouldn’t be here today. It was important for me to follow this method, as being here is. I just want to continue being a rider and try to give something. To date, however, my priority remains that of having fun.”
How did you experience the moments before getting on the Ducati V4 in Jerez?
“I had the same desire as a child does, and I laughed, like when you’re making mischief. I enjoyed that moment as if it were my first, knowing it won’t always be like this in the future. That test was an exception, and it was good to experience it, also because nobody expected anything from me. When things are like this, you only think about riding and nothing else.”
Gigi Dall’Igna really wanted you on the Ducati with Go Eleven.
“Gigi is an extremely important person for me. In fact, he helped me to win my first MotoGP race. When we started talking, he said to me, ‘What are your feelings?’. With him, I always look into his eyes, and I have an immense esteem for him, as I do for Ciabatti, Domenicali, and Go Eleven. Without Ducati’s support, everything would’ve been much more complex. We’ll all try to do a good job and grow together.”
What have these four years taught you?
“The awareness that everything in life can change from one moment to the next. Sometimes you don’t think about it. You think it happens to others, but that’s not always the case. I’m a romantic by nature. I like to be positive, because it gives me energy.”
Iannone and Go Eleven seem like two opposite worlds. On the one hand, the media-frenzy rider. On the other, the family team.
“I never felt unattainable. I always remember where I come from, where I was born, and my values reflect those of Go Eleven. Often, what you perceive from the outside, isn’t the true reality of things.”
You were very fast in the first test after four years. How do explain that?
“I’d say blessed by God. Many times, there are things that have no explanation. I wouldn’t have bet at all on such a return, and I’ll take the best of what the Jerez test left me. If that weren’t the case in the future, I won’t be demoralized. I’ll work to do my best, step by step.”
How much did Elodie support you in this return?
“She was there, she is there, and I hope she will be there.”
