Yesterday Andrea Iannone was rather cryptic about his new bike, but today he had more to say about the Suzuki, though without actually naming it. It was not an easy day for The Maniac, beginning with a crash that destroyed his bike… and his last leathers. Just time to find a new suit (probably in the local Dainese store) and Andrea was straight back out on track.
The afternoon went well and the italian closed the day with the fourth fastest time, which he's happy with.
“It wasn't all bad - he confirms - It's never a given that sensations will be good when you change bikes, as happened today. The team and I understand each other well and, more importantly, we are continuing to improve. The Japanese engineers listen carefully to what I say to them and I think I've provided them with useful information”.
The fourth fastest time is a great start…
“I didn't push to the max, after two crashes I'd lost a little confidence and was more cautious than usual. I didn't fully exploit the new tyre”.
What do you particularly like about the bike?
“Everything, it works well. I've found it very balanced but what really surprised me is it's speed mid-corner, that's no small thing. There are points on which to improve but we have time to do that”.
What do you think about the engine?
“It is very powerful, we just need to better exploit it in the first phase of acceleration".
Last year Aleix was critical about the braking…
“I wouldn't say the bike is bad in terms of braking, but you need to understand it. You can't attack the front brake or you'll send it into a panic, you need to ride it in a different way, making the most of corner speed. It's an aspect I like, it suits my riding style”.
Next week you'll be back on the bike for testing at Jerez, are you excited?
“It's important to ride there, I'll be able to understand a lot more. Particularly at a time like this, where I still have to fully exploit the bike”.
The Suzuki seems unstable from the outside…
“You can also see it from the data, but I don't notice it when I'm riding. The most important thing, right now, is to get used to the bike”.
We haven't talked about the crash, how did it happen?
“It was really strange because I was going slow, I was on my way back to the garage. As soon as I touched the brakes I crashed. Capirossi went to check the track and told me that the white line is very slippery, but I didn't ride over it. At that moment, temperatures were low and I'd put in a used hard tyre, I think that's why I crashed. I hit my left elbow and it hurts, but I gritted my teeth”.
You don't think there should be air fences at that corner?
“It would be important, even though I didn't hit the barrier myself. The most dangerous thing was that the bike finished on the other side of the barriers”.