VR46 Confirms Andrea Iannone MotoGP Return
VR46 has confirmed the return of Andrea Iannone for the upcoming Malaysian MotoGP
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Andrea Iannone will officially be back in MotoGP for the first time since 2019 after being called up by VR46 to replace Fabio Di Giannantonio.
A one-time race winner in MotoGP with Ducati in 2016, Iannone will make his return at the Malaysian MotoGP. Di Giannantonio ended his season after last weekend’s Thai GP after suffering a dislocated shoulder a few rounds ago in Austria.
Despite continuing on following the Austrian Grand Prix, Di Giannantonio admitted at the Australian round that he would not see out the final two rounds of the season, instead focusing on 2025 where he will join Francesco Bagnaia and Marc Marquez in having GP25 machinery.
For Iannone, his return to MotoGP marks the first time he’s raced in the class since being banned for four years in 2019 when he tested positive for an anti-doping substance.
A race winner this season in World Superbike, Iannone’s form has been impressive at stages and that has been reflected by VR46 electing to give the Italian an opportunity in Sepang.
The Valentino Rossi-owned team has not confirmed Iannone for the season-finale in Valencia, as of yet.
Speaking about his MotoGP outing, Iannone said: “Riding the world champion bike is exciting.”
“MotoGP is the most technological and high-performance bike, I'm honoured that they thought of me and I felt like I had to say yes to this opportunity immediately as soon as it was offered to me.
“The challenge is certainly crazy, complex and demanding, as I haven't ridden a bike in this category for years and without having done tests or similar.
“I'm excited to be able to work with Ducati and the Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team, both for the very high level and for the friendship since years.
“I thank Valentino Rossi, Alessio Salucci, Pablo Nieto, Gigi Dall'Igna, Claudio Domenicali and Mauro Grassilli.”
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