Andrea Iannone is hoping to use his maiden MotoGP podium finish in Qatar as a springboard for further success in Texas this weekend. The Italian finished third in the season-opener as Ducati confirmed their pre-season potential and Iannone wants to maintain the feel-good factor within the team at the Circuit of the Americas.
“After my first-ever MotoGP podium in Qatar, now we are going to Austin, to a track where last year I almost managed to get onto the podium and so I am very happy to go back there, this time as a factory Ducati Team rider. The Texan circuit is really nice and I think that with the Desmosedici GP15 we can again aim to score another good result, especially in the light of this positive moment I am going through together with my team”.
Teammate Andrea Dovizioso came agonisingly close to handing Ducati their first MotoGP victory for over four years in Qatar, only to be beaten by Valentino Rossi, but the 29 year old has taken the positives from the first race and hopes to be equally competitive in Austin.
“I am very satisfied with my result in Qatar, because I was able to fight for the win right down to the chequered flag with a totally new bike. In 2014 I succeeded in obtaining my first podium with Ducati at Austin, in what was a bit of a strange race, but I really like the Texan track because of its characteristics and I can’t wait to start racing this weekend. I’m very excited and very curious to see how the GP15 will go in the next few circuits!”
