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Andrea Iannone started the first day of free practice during the Phillip Island weekend on the right foot, placing his Ducati in 2nd place, four tenths behind Bulega, the fastest on the Australian track today, while holding off Toprak, 3rd on the BMW. Despite his excellent performance, the rider from Vasto, in his second year in the Superbike on the Go Eleven team's Ducati, feels he still has room for improvement on his V4R. What's certain is that. if there's going to be a challenge in Ducati, Iannone seems to be at the forefront in this start of the championship.
"Today, we made several changes to the bike, because we lost time during the tests," Iannone began. "During free practice, I did two, three laps, then I'd stop to change the set-up, to then go back out. I think we figured some things out, but we still need to improve for tomorrow. The sensations are still not one hundred percent, but we're close to Bulega. I did my best lap with thirteen fourteen laps left on the rear tire, so we'll see, but it's not a bad start to the weekend."
It seems that you and Petrucci are closer to the Ducatis this year than Nicolò and Alvaro.
"Last year, we were already fighting for the win. At Phillip Island, everything is a little easier. We'll see where we are when we go to Europe. The sensations about the bike though are very good."
Have you already imagined a challenge with Bulega? Looking at the times, you're one step ahead of the others.
"I don't know, Nicolò is definitely very fast. I see the images, and he knows how to handle the bike. When it's like that, it's a pleasure riding. I can go fast, but we still have several things to improve. So, seeing the times, I'm not bad. But, as for the sensations, it could be even better. In the end, what matters will be the result. But, should it be a two-man race, he'll try to beat me, and I'ss do the same with him."
What other manufacturers do you see potentially competitive at Ducati's level this weekend?
"I think the BMWs are competitive and fast, and also the Bimota aren't bad on the track, but we're all very close. We're talking about a few tenths, a tenth per sector."
Managing the flag-to-flag will also play an important role in the pitlanes tomorrow, What do you expect?
"Yes, we talked a lot about it today, and we'll have a meeting later. It's not easy. Last year, we made a slight mistake and lost two seconds. We've done a lot of testing. Hopefully, we can be precise. What I hope is that it won't be the decisive moment for us. I'd like everything to be decided on the track and not in the pitlane. Being in the middle of it though is better. It gives you a way to calculate the times better, but it's going to be difficult for everyone."
