Andrea Iannone returned to high-level motorcycle racing this season after a four-year suspension due to a doping case. His re-entry was through the World Superbike Championship, where he rides a Ducati for Team GoEleven.
The start of the season has been promising. While he still seems to lack some consistency, he has already secured two podiums and achieved at least one top-five finish in all four rounds contested so far.
Currently, Iannone is sixth in the championship, being the third-best Ducati rider, only behind the factory Aruba.it Ducati team riders: Nicolò Bulega (second) and Álvaro Bautista (third).
Renewing Bautista’s contract is the priority, but if the Spaniard – who will turn 40 – decides to retire at the end of this season, Ducati will have to look for a replacement. Iannone could be a candidate, but at this stage, he hasn’t fully convinced the Borgo Panigale manufacturer.
Gigi Dall’Igna, General Manager of Ducati Corse, told the official WSBK website: ‘Andrea hadn’t a race for four long years, so he came to the races some months ago and it’s not easy. He shows his potential sometimes, honestly. He has to improve a little bit, but I’m confident because I know him, I know his talent and I know that he can do very well’.