Iannone after impressive day two at Jerez: "I want to try to comeback at a high level… I know it’s difficult!"
The Italian was on track with his new team for the first time at Jerez and put in some strong lap times at Jerez
Andrea Iannone (Team GoEleven) returned to the track as some of the MOTUL FIM Superbike World Championship paddock remained at the Circuito de Jerez – Angel Nieto for two days of testing. The #29 was one of these and he enjoyed a strong day two in Spain, running inside the top three on occasions on Wednesday and finishing the day in an impressive fifth place after getting to try Pirelli’s SCQ tyre as well as being able to complete a solid six hours of testing.
STRONG SECOND DAY: running in the top three, finishing P5
‘The Maniac’ was one of the first to venture onto the track when the green flags waved at 10am Local Time, but, with wet patches still on the circuit from rain on Tuesday, completed just an in and out lap. His action really got underway at around midday, as it did for the rest of the competitors, with the sun shining and the track getting drier as the day progressed. In the end, Iannone put in a 1’39.335s to claim fifth, although he was in the top three a couple of times on Wednesday.
Discussing his day, where he completed 69 laps, the Italian admitted he was a bit surprised about his performance: “It was really fun, I enjoyed today a lot. My feeling with the bike improved exit by exit and run by run. It’s really interesting because I’m a little bit surprised about the result, also the feeling with the tyre and everything. We have a lot of work in front of us, but we start from a really good point. It’s good.”
THE GOALS FOR 2024: “we have really big ambitions…”
The 2024 season will mark Iannone’s return to competition after four years away and, after Wednesday’s running concluded, discussed his and the Team GoEleven’s potential for next season as well as where he wants to be in the pecking order. He also expanded on what’s impressed him so far in his two days on the Panigale V4 R and using Pirelli tyres as he looks to be in the best possible shape ahead of his racing return next year.
Discussing ambitions, potential and pleasant surprises, ‘The Maniac’ said: “We have really big ambitions. I want to comeback, but I want to try to comeback at a high level. I want to achieve these results and I want to try to arrive at the top. In any case, I know it’s really difficult because the level is really high. Everybody is close but, I think, for us and the first test, it’s difficult to achieve a little bit more. The bike impressed me on the positive side, and also the tyres. They’re friendly. You felt where the limits of the tyres are and the bike and I think this is a good point.”
Catch up on all the action from day two HERE and watch highlights and interviews from Jerez using the WorldSBK VideoPass!
