Italiano
P 5 IN SUPERPOLE RACE – BEST INDEPENDENT IN RACE 2!
Sunday began with an encouraging Superpole Race, climbing to fifth place with two amazing overtakes at Turn 6; in Race 2, unfortunately, the result was influenced by a jump start and consequent double long lap. A good comeback in the finale to secure Best Independent, but a top-five finish was in the hands.
In the warm-up, the usual check was made to ensure everything on the Ducati was in order and working perfectly ahead of the races. Minor electronics and setup changes confirmed!
Warm Up:
P 1 T. Razgatlioglu 1.35.033
P 2 N. Bulega + 0.416
P 3 A. Bautista + 0.711
…
P 12 A. Iannone + 1.472
In the Superpole Race, the #29 rider immediately gained a position on Bassani, slipping into Gardner’s slipstream. Between laps four and five, he set two 35.9s, closing the gap on the Australian. On lap six, Andrea came into action; an overtake in Turn 6 secured eighth place, then the following lap he made the same move on Vierge. Thanks to two crashes in the group battling for the podium, the Go Eleven rider took fifth place. On the final lap, he closed on Locatelli, but was a few tenths short of attempting an attack. A great race, he finished one second off the podium and two rows got for Race 2!
Superpole Race:
P 1 T. Razgatlioglu 15’57.401
P 2 N. Bulega + 0.545
P 3 A. Bautista + 8.942
P 4 A. Locatelli + 10.060
P 5 A. Iannone + 10.122
Race 2 was compromised at the start, with a clear jump start, resulting in a penalty; further to this, Andrea went a bit wide in Turn 1, too. Overall, we’re talking about a loss of about 6-7 seconds. From the battle for the podium to P17; a shame, because in the early laps Andrea had managed to battle with Toprak and Alvaro, easily defending the top five and aiming for something more. Good pace in the finale, clinching Best Independent, passing Vickers for twelfth place. In the last stages of the race, the Vasto-born rider also suffered significantly the drop of the front tyre.
P 1 N. Bulega 33’40.088
P 2 T. Razgatlioglu + 4.868
P 3 A. Bautista + 15.331
…
P 12 A. Iannone + 31.657
A light and shadow Sunday to end a positive weekend in terms of performance and speed; the team worked well, growing and improving the bike between Saturday and Sunday. There’s a bitter taste in mouths for missing out on the podium battle in Race 2, but the main thing is to prove competitive and fight at the front all weekend!
Andrea Iannone (Rider):
Denis Sacchetti (Team Manager):
“We got off to a good start today, and between Saturday and Sunday we did a good job and gained a few tenths. In the Superpole Race, Andrea managed to make a comeback and finish fifth, which is also great for a second row start for Race 2. Unfortunately, a jump start in the afternoon compromised the race. This time it was a clear one, certainly a fraction of a second, and Andrea felt he could have had a big chance, but with the double long lap, the race was over. We managed to take home the best independent, even though we could have finished much higher. I’m happy with the team’s work here in Estoril, and we’ll move on to Jerez for the great season finale!”
SUNDAY PICTURES: CLICK HERE
