Finally! Finally Andrea Iannone crossed the finish line of a Grand Prix this year and thus somewhat erased her disappointing start to the season.
This comes at the right time, when Ducati will have to choose which of its two riders will be likely to give up their place to a certain Mallorcan rider.
What's more, #29 would almost have been on the verge of bringing tears to our eyes at a post-GP press conference, had his own agent, Carlo Pernat, not declared that the incident in Argentina was slipping on him like water on a duck's feathers...
After those of Marc Marquez and Jorge Lorenzo, we offer here the translation of the entire remarks.
A horrible week, which you end on the podium…
" I am very happy. I needed this podium. For us it is very important because after the first two races it was very difficult and I experienced very difficult moments. I felt it was one of the worst of my career, because I had a lot of pressure and everyone was watching me. It was a very difficult moment.
But when we started this weekend, we focused a lot on testing and I tried to ride the bike in the best way possible. We improved the bike in each session and it was also very important to stay among the best in each session. I'm very comfortable on the bike, more and more.
In the race, the situation was very difficult. I started from the third row, and it was not easy for me because, at the first corner, I had a contact with Dani, then another at the next corner with Aleix Espargaro. So it was very difficult from the start and I tried to stay careful. But ok, anyway, it's a great time for us. »
We saw a lot of falls from the front today. Can you find the limit and stay below it?
“I think like Marc. This year, when you arrive on a track, you have old references, especially in the first session, your braking points are the ones you remember from last year. So it's important to try to adapt during this season, because with these tires it's completely different. It is very important to change the settings to drive a little more safely. But I think next year the situation will be better for everyone from the start of the season.
I am very happy with the Michelin tires because they have improved a lot during the winter. For me this is a very good direction of development but the first races were definitely difficult for everyone. »
The Moto2 riders said the track was very slippery. Was it different from yesterday?
“For me, the start of the race was very difficult because the conditions were very different from those in the warm up. I do not know why. But it's the same for everyone, and especially at the braking points of the first turn, then #11 and 12, it was very difficult and the grip was less. It was very difficult to brake. I tried as best I could to control the situation and of course it was difficult to stay below the limits, but I'm happy because I finished in a good place. »
You finish on the podium but 11 seconds behind Marc. Will Europe bring Ducati its first victory?
“Obviously, Marc is still very strong on this track. And he was very fast throughout the weekend. But we are trying to progress and reduce the gap a little. Sometimes I progress during the weekend, but sometimes Marc progresses more than me (laughs). But we sure try. For us it was very important to finish this race, and 11 seconds is a long time, but we are working to reduce this gap on Marc and Jorge during the European races. I think we had very good potential in Qatar while here the Honda and Marc were very strong. We are trying to reduce this gap and get our first victory in the future. »
Why didn't you appeal your penalty?
“The last race was a very bad moment, and I agree with this penalty. For me, it was correct that I started one line further back. It was a good decision. This year everything is different and the rules have changed. Everyone was more aggressive and, ultimately, (this penalty) is good. Of course, I would have preferred to be a line further forward, but hey, now it's over. Doing it in Jerez would have been worse, because the track is very narrow, so it was better on this track. »
