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MotoGP, Iannone and the farewell to Ducati: only I gave 100%

The Maniac: "They'll miss me, but I'll miss them too. I am leaving a piece of my heart here, but there was no more warmth"

Iannone and the farewell to Ducati: only I gave 100%

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Andrea Iannone ended his experience at Ducati with a bang, bringing home a podium for the team from Borgo Panigale. In addition to celebrating the result, the Maniac took the opportunity to get a little something off his chest, or rather, his leathers.

“I felt a lot of psychological pressure this weekend. Since Malaysia, I have not felt the traditional warmth and closeness from Ducati. They certainly made sure that I was lacking for nothing, but I felt the distance and it hurt, since I get attached.”

He has been with the ‘Reds’ for a long time.
“I arrived at Ducati at a time when riders were leaving. Stoner left, then Rossi too. I believed in this project and in myself. Unfortunately, when you get into an argument, sometimes you can’t see anymore. Or rather, you will see Ducati again, but as rivals.”

There was no lack of complicated moments.
“Despite the difficulties, I always had peace of mind. I experienced difficult moments, but I had people around me who knew how to make their closeness felt.”

Can we define this podium as payback?
“I don’t think this is payback, because I have no resentment. Ducati is well aware of my talent and my characteristics. I simply preferred to take another path. I did not feel comfortable continuing based on what they proposed.”

He gets more and more off his chest.

“I always try to observe, trying not to talk too much, but I understand a lot. Despite the early farewell, I was treated fairly. I always had full technical support. I have great respect for Dall’Igna and I wish to thank him and the team. They were able to pull out the most here at Valencia. I wish especially to thank my crew chief, Marco Rigamonti”.

Is this farewell, or ‘til we meet again?
“You can’t really say. In any case, did you have fun watching the race? I had great fun riding in it. Unfortunately, I was still not strong enough to do better. If I had not hurt myself at Misano, the season finale would have been better. Anyway, I give myself a six for this championship, no more, which, after all, is the same grade I got in school."

There is bitterness in Iannone’s words.
"I am sure I will find an excellent environment at Suzuki, but part of my heart will stay at Ducati. I had two fantastic seasons with Pramac and another two as a factory rider. I gave 100% to Ducati, but the two proposals I had before me were very different from one another and it was very difficult to turn down the one from Suzuki."

It will be difficult not to miss Iannone as he was at Valencia.

"Ducati will miss me just like I will miss Ducati. Of course, I also made mistakes this year, but I learned a lot. I am leaving a competitive bike for Lorenzo. Will he have trouble riding it? No way; he is Lorenzo, I sincerely doubt it."

Translated by Jonathan Blosser
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