SBK | Barcelona GP Race 2, Iannone: “We had to take risks to try to make steps forward”

SBK GP Barcelona Ducati GoEleven – Andrea Iannone did not finish Race 2 of the Barcelona Grand Prix, second stage of the 2024 World Championship.

In the Superpole Race Andrea took advantage of the good feeling with the qualifying tyre, immediately taking the lead and always remaining within the Top 3. The battle with Bulega was tough and clean, the two did not hold back, however allowing the return to Bautista and Toprak. On the last lap, in the last corner, the BMW Turkish rider performs a spectacular maneuver that forces Bautista to raise the bike again; Iannone mocks the Spaniard right at the finish line and takes second place! Podium, front row defense for race 2 and above all the condition in which he seemed to "have the bike in his hand". Race to watch and rewatch with bated breath.

In Race 2, an excellent start once again, and Andrea entered the top places right from the start. This time, given yesterday's tire drop, we opted for the SCX compound, with some small adjustments in terms of set-up. The duels with Toprak are always beautiful and exciting, with braking and raised rear wheels. The Ducati Aruba duo takes a slight lead, while the numbers 54 and 29 remain waiting, always maintaining contact with the top. From mid-race onwards the Ducati Go Eleven stabilized the pace at 42 medium/high, closing the gap with third place tenth to tenth. With seven laps to go, in turn 10, the front end closes and the race ends. A fall without consequences, it's right to try when you're just a breath away from the podium. The changes made perhaps improved some areas, making the feeling with the front tire a little worse. More important, however, is to have demonstrated that we are constantly battling with the best on all the tracks we have encountered so far. And we are only at the beginning, the relationship between the Panigale V4-R and Andrea Iannone is still building.

Statements Andrea Iannone Barcelona Superbike GP

“This morning it was nice to battle with all the strongest riders in this championship, I had a lot of fun. We certainly still need to calibrate ourselves better regarding the long race. In the short race, with certain types of tyres, I can be much more effective. In the long race, however, yesterday I struggled a lot, today we tried to slightly modify the balance of the bike but, in my opinion, the changes in these small details made the situation a little worse. However, we had to take risks to try to make progress compared to yesterday. The team will process the data collected, we certainly have more information to try to review and better understand some aspects. However, I am happy with how we started the championship and the results we are obtaining, it was not at all a given. We are all doing a great job, even when you make mistakes you have to accept it and look forward. The goal is to try to do your best. I thank, as always, Ducati and Team Go Eleven.”