MotoGP Valencia: Andrea Iannone “I was very close to pole, Vale stole it from me!”

Andrea Iannone came very close to his first pole in the MotoGP today in Valencia, the scene of the eighteenth and final stage of the 2014 world championship. The Team Pramac Ducati rider was beaten right at the best moment, but thinking about yesterday's bad day, there is be satisfied. The next Ducati Team rider had a special guest in the pits, Barbara Berlusconi (see photo). Precisely for this occasion Andrea wore a helmet with the colors of Milan. Here's what he told us at the end of qualifying.

“It was certainly an exciting qualifying, good for how we went and how we reacted to yesterday. I almost didn't get pole position, the first in MotoGP, at the last race, it would have been a good thing. In the end Vale narrowly "stole" pole from me, but I'm happy for him too, we're two Italians ahead of everyone."

What thoughts do you have regarding the race, what strategy will you use?

“Let's hope that tomorrow in the race I can resist well with the strength of my arm, because after a few laps I suffer, but I don't consider it as my weak point. As always, I will set off thinking I won't have any problems and then try to understand how to make the most of my bike."

Not since 2006 have two Italian riders been ahead of everyone in MotoGP, what do you think? Then it had been Rossi and Capirossi, with the latter always riding a Ducati.

“We are growing and I am happy. This was a good qualifying. I immediately felt good on the bike, I knew I could do well. It's a great satisfaction.”

Have you already chosen the tires for the race? Is asymmetrical a plausible option for the front?

“On the rear the choice is forced, we will use the medium. At the front, however, I tried the 31 and the 35, the asymmetrical, and we still have to decide."

What has changed since yesterday, when you were far behind?

“Already this morning in FP4 I was very fast, I had recovered the feeling that I didn't have yesterday and I also changed something. I tried to understand where I went wrong yesterday and tried to fix it. I knew I could do a good lap with the soft tire and I managed to take advantage of it, even lapping alone.”

Barbara Berlusconi was a guest in your box today and you used a helmet in the Milan colors (see photo). Since Valentino is an Inter fan it will be a nice Derby.

“I've been to the stadium twice with a friend of mine and Barbara, so we had this idea. I hope it brings good luck to them too."

What was missing for the pole?

“That tenth that wasn't there. I did my best, I pushed, but Vale was a little better than me, but it was a positive qualifying. Nice to end the season with a front row, it's not bad at all.”