MotoGP, Iannone: I was in hibernation, but I am a lion that does not give up

Austin gives Andrea Iannone his first points of the season. After the crash in Qatar and the sixteenth place in Argentina, the Maniac finally managed to turn the page. His seventh place finish ahead of Lorenzo does not fully satisfy the rider from Vasto, but it is certainly a place from which to restart.    

“I was in hibernation, but I am a lion and not a god (he jokes). Unfortunately, the first two races proved to be difficult because I was unable to be as competitive as I had wanted to be. Maybe my expectations were too high, so I dropped the level, taking home would I can.”

What were your sensations before the start?

“I knew that I would have to work hard. This race was basically like a test. Sometimes you improve and other times you don’t, but I am confident.”

Yesterday you were very angry.

“Maybe I am too hard on myself on certain occasions, but if I race it is to finish at the top or at least close to the top. There are times when you just see all black, but sometimes everything becomes clear. I am able to react straight away – that is my good fortune.”

Earning your first points of the season is a good starting point.

Today I think I rode a positive race. Obviously I am not satisfied with the result, but I know that I could not be at the top right now.”

At a certain point you were doing the same times as the fastest.

“I think we were competitive in the first sector. Unfortunately, I was losing eight tenths in T3 since the Suzuki needs a lot of space to turn. Later on, the bike became more agile, partly because of the fuel consumption.”

You finished ahead of Lorenzo

“Damn it (he jokes), I lost a lot of time behind Jorge. For many years the Ducati engine has made me celebrate, this time it made me angry (he smiles).”