suzuki’s Andrea Iannone has had a more difficult season in 2017, but after a stunning P4 in the wet at Motegi, the Australian GP saw the ‘Maniac’ back at the front once again – as part of the incredible fight for the win and the podium.
“I’m very happy about the race,” says the Italian. “I think MotoGP is a bit different when I stay in front, I don’t know why! Maybe my riding style and I try my best in every lap! When I see the potential I give 100%. But I think this result is important for us.”
Iannone has now scored the third most points of anyone in the last two races, behind only title challengers Andrea Dovizioso and Marc Marquez.
And although he came home just off the podium as he struggled with grip and fell victim to a last corner attack by Cal Crutchlow, Iannone says the result makes for a good restart for the Hamamatsu factory.
“I’d prefer to be on the podium because that’s what I was fighting for,” continues the Italian.
“But at the end on the last three laps I had a lot of spinning and sliding and it was hard to manage. I tried my best but at the end Cal overtook me at the last corner…I’d completely destroyed the tyres. But I think it was a good point to restart from, and I think it’s good motivation for 2018.”
Next up is Malaysia, where Iannone expects to struggle a little more – but was fast in winter testing.
source: motogp.com
