Being a rookie in a category at 34 years old is not for everyone. Andrea Iannone has returned to racing at a high level in SBK and now has a new goal in his head.
When you fall to the ground you can only get up. Andrea Iannone was left out of the two-wheel circuit due to a disqualification that still cries out for revenge. The native of Vasto is, certainly, among the strongest Italian centaurs of his generation but he has had a career marked by disqualification for doping. The sentence, toughened in the second instance, would have pushed many pilots to give up.
At almost 35 years old, The Maniac has chosen not to hang up his helmet. He is back to doing what he has always wanted in the series-derived motorcycle championship.
If he had remained in top class today he would have been one of the most expert representatives of the category. Iannone has maintained a sculptural physique and has not lost the habit of going fast on a motorbike. At the end of 2023 he served his sentence and the Go Eleven team extended a helping hand to him. THEn Superbike the level has grown in recent years, even if it is not comparable to that of MotoGP.
Iannone is back racing on a Ducati. At the Borgo Panigale factory he achieved great satisfaction in his career. He managed to get to race for the factory team.
At the time, the Desmosedici was not up to par with the one currently driven by Pecco Bagnaia. The latter proved to be a regular rider, but the flashes of Dovizioso and Iannone managed to drive the fans crazy. After his experience with Ducati, the Abruzzo native raced for two years with Suzuki.
Subsequently, with a lot of determination, he began a new adventure in Aprilia. Experience ended shortly after due to disqualification. In his career Andrea has achieved 13 victories and 35 podiums in total in the MotoGP. Important numbers that are not obtained by chance.
After 4 years he recovered from the gravel, deciding to return as a protagonist in SBK. Many would have been afraid to compete with seasoned centaurs, such as Alvaro Bautista, Jonathan Rea and Toprak Razgatlioglu but the Abruzzo native managed, on his debut, to get a podium in Race 1 in Australia.
Ducati, Iannone’s announcement arrives
The rider from Abruzzo chose the Ducati Go Eleven satellite team directed by Gianni Ramello to fight against the best riders in the category. He has so far scored two podiums and 64 points in the World Championship. He is in fifth place in the ranking on a par with Locatelli of the official Yamaha team. Alvaro Bautista, reigning champion, is still in command with 123 points. Here are all the teams involved.
In 2023 Andrea kept fit on the Ducati, in private tests at Vallelunga and Misano. The Team GoEleven driver was able to compete immediately at the head of the group.
The Italian underlined to GPOne.com that he needs greater support from the Borgo Panigale factory: “I need something more, and Ducati knows it. I spoke with [Claudio] Sundays, [Gigi] Dall’Igna e [Marco] Zambenedetti to explain my situation. At the moment, I’m missing that final detail that can make the difference. I know where I am and what I can give“.
A clear message from the class of 1989.”If I were fighting for 15th place, I would have already retired or given my bike to a younger guy, but that’s not the case“, explained Iannone. His riding style resembles that of Bautistaremaining on the Ducati theme, both coming from MotoGP experience.
