Andrea Iannone was a surprise at the Ducati’s Lenovo Race of Champions, clinching pole position by just 50 thousandths of a second over Francesco Bagnaia and then finishing second in the race.
Despite a strong performance under equal conditions — where all riders had the same bike, the new Panigale V4 — the event was more of an exhibition race rather than the high-intensity competition of a championship.
Iannone’s performance sparked questions about what the current Superbike rider might achieve in MotoGP. Discussions about a potential return to the premier class have surfaced in recent months, especially since Iannone made his comeback to racing this year after a four-year suspension.
However, speaking to MotoSprint, the Italian admitted that the likelihood of competing in MotoGP is slim: ‘With road bikes, everything is easier. Pecco is proof that you need perfect chemistry with the team to win in MotoGP. I haven’t raced in MotoGP since 2019, and the bikes have changed a lot. I never say never about a return to MotoGP, but at this moment, I don’t believe it is a realistic option, and I want to get the most out of Superbike’.