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MotoGP, Iannone: "Amazed at how fast I was"

Dovizioso: "Today I preferred to be cautious, but if it rains tomorrow I'll be angry"

Iannone: "Amazed at how fast I was"

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His return was anxiously awaited, because the last image we have of him goes back to Friday on the Misano weekend. Andrea Iannone exceeded all expectations on this first day at Sepang, taking the fourth best time of the morning, just over three tenths behind Marquez. In the afternoon, he preferred not to risk because of the weather.

“This morning I had good sensations when I got back on the bike. In fact, I am very happy. Right after arriving in Sepang I had some pain, but at the moment it is not too bad; I was able to bear it. I am also close to the leaders.”

Extremely fast in the morning, then in the afternoon you preferred to be cautious.

“I decided not to risk, given the track conditions, waiting for the weather to improve. If it is the same tomorrow, I will go out anyway. I must say that today I did not feel like stressing my back too much and increasing the pain.”

Did you think you would be this competitive straight away?

“In the first session I was amazed to be three tenths behind Marquez. Besides being fast, I was able to be consistent after missing four rounds. The tyres and the bike are performing well.”

Some riders complained about the water on certain sections of the track.

“Unfortunately, the problem with puddles that do not dry out is clear. Let’s just hope that this situation is resolved over time.”

On the final lap you even did a wheelie.

“I’m happy to be back on the bike. I missed racing a lot, as well as all the people I have alongside me. At the end of FP1 I was as enthusiastic as a newborn.”

Andrea Dovizioso avoided trying to get a good time at any cost, honing his weapons for tomorrow. In the afternoon session, he finished seventh on the intermediate tyre.  

“This morning the conditions proved to be rather complicated. I hope that stems from the fact that the track is not rubberized. In addition, some of the lines were wet. In any case, I am satisfied since I did not use the new tyres. It was a pity about the afternoon, but it was essential to test in order to be ready to handle any conditions.”

Did Miller and Crutchlow surprise you?

“Jack and Cal used slicks and that is an interesting fact. They work better than the intermediates, coming up to temp straight away and being able to push much harder.”

Some of the riders pointed out wet spots on the track.

These problems were on every corner. Now we need to try and understand what the situation is.”

As for the tyres, what are your sensations?

“I hope to find ideal conditions on the front, since this morning I only worked with the hard on the rear, using the worst solutions.”

So you opted for a conservative choice?

“Exactly. The track is not rubberized, so you have to change tyres, whether you like it or not. Instead, I preferred to conserve them. Personally, I feel like I am fast. The goal is to go through to Q2 and I am confident that I can do that since I like this track and I am fast. If it rains tomorrow I’ll be angry (he smiles)."

Translated by Jonathan Blosser
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