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Suzuki’s 2017 season was christened on the Sepang circuit, the place of choice for the GSX-RR. For the manufacturer from Hamamatsu, this is a year of great change, at least in terms of riders with a completely new team. Iannone is the point man, switching from the Italian red to Japanese blue.
“We are counting on him to take our bike to the top” team manager Davide Brivio expressed his faith in him. After four years with Ducati, Andrea is ready for the new challenge.
“I am on a great team, with a great Manufacturer behind me. I am happy.” were the first words of the rider from Abruzzo.
Had the right time come for a change?
“I didn’t need a change of scenery. I have no regrets about my past, but it was an excellent opportunity. I evaluated my choices and this was the one that convinced me the most.”
Why?
“For the first time in my career, I was placed at the centre of a project and I need to take full advantage of that experience. From the very first moment I felt good. I feel at peace.”
You don’t feel the pressure of being the man being bet on?
“Absolutely not. I am happy with my position. I have never felt this important to a Manufacturer. They were the ones who said they were counting on me from the beginning.”
Do you think you will start at the same competitive level as you left off last season?
“I don’t know right now. It is always difficult to see where you stand when so many things change. Last year, I definitely proved that I was fast and that I can win. Now, however, I mustn’t think about that, but about getting my bike sorted.”
You said that in Valencia you saw that it is a good fit for your riding style. In what sense?
“I realised straight away that it is very fast through corners, a characteristic that I also have in my DNA. I am happy to have found a strong point like this one and I hope I am able to take full advantage of it.”
Will you also have to meet the GSX-RR halfway?
“Nobody will ever have the perfect bike. You have to try to adapt it to your needs and at the same time adapt yourself. It will never do what you want it to unless you change your riding style a bit ad the Suzuki demands a different one than I was used to.”
What do you expect from this first test at Sepang?
“To be able to familiarise myself as much as possible with the bike and to find confidence with it and with the team. We need to become the best of friends.”
You will be sharing the garage with Rins…
“Alex has great talent and has every chance of becoming strong in MotoGP too. I hope that I can be of help to him. It is important for everyone that he gets fast quickly so that we will be able to move forward developing the bike together. Some advice? Not to be in a hurry and to take his time.”
