Andrea Iannone is hours away from taking the controls of a MotoGP bike again, something that will happen at the Malaysian GP. The Italian confessed the emotion of being back and recalled the moment when he was invited by Valentino Rossi, and he didn’t hesitate to accept this return.
The rider, who is currently in the World Superbike Championship, spoke about his return and his current feelings: ‘I feel many emotions. Honestly, I wasn’t expecting so much affection from the paddock. I’m happy to be here and very grateful. The goal for the weekend? I have no idea. I think it’s important to have fun. I haven’t ridden a MotoGP bike in a long time and the bikes have changed a lot, but you should never say never. Will I be racing here again? No, I don’t think there’s a chance’.
Iannone then recalled the moment the invitation came and how… he didn’t hesitate: ‘I was going to Jerez for the last round of the SBK. When I landed, I saw Rossi’s message saying he had tried to contact me and had something important to communicate. I called him back and he told me he had thought of me to replace Fabio and I agreed immediately’.