Not all stories are as romantic and dreamy as the one Troy Bayliss lived at the end of 2006, when the then WSBK world champion raced in MotoGP and won a race. Andrea Iannone did not escape this question, on his return to the category, and categorically rejected the possibility of success, even recalling the recent case of Álvaro Bautista.
The Superbike rider said “no” to a possible victory in Sepang: ‘Troy was incredible. Now everything is different. Yesterday they explained all the buttons to me. I’m excited to go and discover such a different bike, if it’s not too old’.
Focused on reality and the opportunity, #29 is just focused on being on the track, leaving a word of thanks for the invitation: ‘Meanwhile, it’s good to have this opportunity and be here. I thank Valentino and the VR46 team because without them I wouldn’t have experienced MotoGP anymore’.
Regarding the monetary issue, he said: ‘And the money? I lost so much that it doesn’t matter not having it. Passion always wins over money. What do I remember from the last period in MotoGP? I have a year of SBK behind me where the bikes are at the top, everything is very good and I had fun. The past ends up staying in the past. I had planned the next five years and I did five completely different years, so I prefer to live the day and enjoy what comes up’.
And if the participation in the World Ducati Week helped him in any way, Iannone clarified that it did not and also recalled the return of the more experienced Bautista then:
– No, I was always convinced that I can still ride a bike fast. You need to be able to push the bike to the limit. If I’m going to be able to do it, I’ll know on Sunday, but I think it will be difficult. Bautista, to do a wildcard last year, did at least five tests and even then he had difficulties.