Italiano
SUPERPOLE MASTERPIECE; CRASH DUE TO ANOTHER RIDER’S MISTAKE IN RACE 1!
When everything finally seemed to be heading towards a positive weekend, knowing the importance of qualifying in modern Superbike, a crash, once again in the early laps, forced Andrea Iannone and Team Pata Go Eleven out, without any fault, due to another rider’s mistake. A nasty contusion to his right leg, nothing broken, but fingers crossed he can compete in the remaining two rounds here at Magny-Cours. Today’s qualifying masterpiece remains, redeeming a difficult Friday with a fifth-place finish achieved with heart, determination, and skill.
In FP3, the rider from Vasto was pleased with the progress made since yesterday, both in terms of setup and electronics. He also showed good race pace and a solid final lap to test the qualifying tyre.
Free Practice 3:
P 1 T. Razgtlioglu 1.35.497
P 2 A. Lowes + 0.005
P 3 A. Locatelli + 0.121
…
P 10 A. Iannone + 0.933
In Superpole, the team and rider performed perfectly; they decided to take the slipstream of Bulega, but the first two laps were deleted due to yellow flags, Andrea didn’t give up and completed a third lap before coming to the pits. It could have been easy to lose his composure there, when two laps were deleted in qualifying, but number 29 was determined to secure a spot on the front rows. Eighth at the end of his first attempt, the mechanics performed a lightning-fast tyre change, and he was back on track for his second attempt. Here, he completed a near-perfect lap, in line with the front row until the third sector, then finished fifth. He secured a second row start, an excellent position for Race 1 and the Superpole Race.
Superpole:
P 1 T. Razgatlioglu 1.34.930
P 2 N. Bulega + 0.212
P 3 S. Lowes + 0.352
P 4 A. Lowes + 0.516
P 5 A. Iannone + 0.678
Race 1 lasted less than a lap; after a good start, #29 defended his position until Turn 13, where he was hit by another rider’s mistake on the inside, causing a pileup. Race over, a nasty contusion on the right side, but fortunately nothing broken. He still has to undergo a medical fit tomorrow morning before the warm-up, but there’s confidence for the races. It’s a shame because this year, something different always happens at every round, often before he can even show his potential for a few laps of racing.
P 1 T. Razgatlioglu 33’41.298
P 2 N. Bulega + 8.597
P 3 A. Lowes + 10.979
…
DNF A. Iannone
We won’t give up, and if his physical condition allows, tomorrow there are two more races with two good chances to achieve good results.
Never give up!
Andrea Iannone (Rider):
Denis Sacchetti (Team Manager):
“Today, all we’re left with is the disappointment of not being able to understand our potential in the race. After a qualifying session where the team and rider were almost perfect, both on the track and in terms of timing and tyre changes, finishing fifth, we were hit on the first lap. Obviously, these things happen, and I’m disappointed that sometimes mistakes by other have less discussion then if Andrea make it, especially if they’re repeated in the races. If everything’s okay tomorrow, physically, we’ll try again!”
SATURDAY PICTURES: CLICK HERE
