MotoGP Brno, Race: Iannone, “When changing bikes I had a slick in front and a rain in the back”

GP Czech Republic MotoGP Suziki race – A series of unfortunate events. This is how Andrea Iannone's Czech Republic Grand Prix could be summed up.

The driver from Vasto, after an excellent start from 20th place, managed to recover up to twelfth place in the first lap. Then the Abruzzo native, given his condition, decided to return to the pits where his race came to an abrupt stop.

At the entrance to the lay-by he found Aleix Espargarò coming out of his, forced to brake, on the paint stripe, the motorbike slipped. As if this wasn't enough when it came time to get the second bike, he realized he had a slick tire on the front and a rain tire on the rear. Forced to wait for the change, he lost over a minute and finished the race in 19th position.

These are the words of Andrea Iannone: “I made an incredible start, I was twelfth on the first lap. Then I joined immediately, and I would have earned like Marc. Then the accident with Aleix happened, but I don't think it's his fault. Eventually the mechanic holding your bike has to tell you to wait or go. I had arrived at that moment, and those returning as per the regulations have priority. whoever stays still must check and then leave. I know it's hard for me to look, I tell the mechanic to give me the signal to leave. So it's not Aleix's fault, he was the rider who gets on the bike and wants to restart, but it's up to the mechanic to give the go-ahead. Then he apologized to me. My bike crashed into Rins' and bent his handlebars, but I also gave him a good hit. it's better to fall at 300 km/h than like this. Then I fell on the yellow line which was slippery. "

He also talked about rubber: “Then the tyre, I think there's this confusion. I had a slick in front and a rain in the back. I think something strange happened. I didn't start, and had to wait for the tire to be changed. Even with the fall I would have lost a maximum of 4 seconds, but instead I lost a minute. These are things that can happen.”

On the relationship with the team manager Davide Brivio and with the team he said: “I think Davide is a very capable person in managing these things and I'm sure he knows how to manage things in the best possible way. We also have a good relationship with Japan. My priority is to be competitive as soon as possible. They are working but we know it will take time.”

Photos: A. Farinelli