Two weeks on from stating he was “pissed off” at Suzuki’s decision to drop him from its MotoGP team, Andrea Iannone’s mood was much enhanced in Catalonia as he spoke of his belief in Aprilia’s MotoGP project, which he will join in 2019.
Andrea Iannone has vowed to ‘seize the moment’ in the Catalunya MotoGP and continue on an upward trend. The Ecstar Suzuki rider has been making progress on the GSX-RR and finished fourth at Mugello ahead of team-mate Alex Rins on a solid weekend for the pair in Italy.
Suzuki arrives for the start of the European season as the big factory improver relative to one year ago. Back-to-back podiums in Argentina (Alex Rins) and Austin (Andrea Iannone) have helped carry Suzuki to 39 constructors' points, compared with just 16 at the same time last year.
Sixth overall with a strong race pace at Sepang, Alex Rins and Suzuki climbed one place higher again at the Thailand MotoGP test. The results have further convinced Rins that the revised 2018 GSX-RR can be a contender this season.
Suzuki unveiled its 2018 MotoGP race colours at Sepang on Saturday where Andrea Iannone and Alex Rins, preparing to start their second season on the GSX-RR, were joined by the whole race team for the launch.
Johann Zarco does not want development in his MotoGP career to depend on Valentino Rossi’s future. The highly-rated Frenchman said “If I show intelligence I can squeeze the bike 100%, I will not be far from the top three of the World Championship.
Having failed to claim a MotoGP podium this season, Suzuki will regain technical concessions in 2018. The factory lost the right to unlimited testing, 9 instead of 7 engine changes and exemption from the engine development freeze after Maverick Vinales claimed four podiums during 2016.
Valentino Rossi’s Ranch could be at the centre of a legal dispute after neighbours complained about the level of noise coming from the MotoGP rider's track.
Andrea Iannone pulled himself away from his sickbed on Wednesday to assess some parts that may find their way onto Suzuki’s 2018 machine, and concluded a series of ‘small differences’ led to an improvement in the Italian’s pace.
Davide Brivio believes the selection of Suzuki’s current 2017 engine spec was a key factor in the factory’s difficult MotoGP season, with its perceived benefits creating other problems for riders Andrea Iannone and Alex Rins.
Jonathan Rea has poured cold water on rumours linking him to a potential MotoGP switch with Suzuki, saying he’s happy and settled in the World Superbike championship.
Yamaha's Jorge Lorenzo closes gap at top of championship to seven points with victory at Catalunya, Pedrosa holds on for runner-up spot after late Marquez charge