In Misano, in the Aprilia box, we saw Andrea Iannone still under contract, but in the turmoil of a legal procedure which calls into question the meaning of justice. The epilogue of this affair will come on October 15, the date which will seal the Italian's career. If he wins his appeal over this doping suspension, he will be able to get his bike back. Otherwise, it will all be over, and Noale's builder, who supports him, will turn to Andrea Dovizioso or Cal Crutchlow. Aleix Espargaró, who alone carries the RS-GP project on his shoulders, recounts his reunion with Joe the Maniac whom he says has changed...
It was a familiar face that brightened up the stand Aprilia in Misano last weekend. Andrea Iannone visited his team. The Italian is still waiting for the International Court of Justice to rule on his suspension due to a positive doping test. In mid-October, a verdict will be rendered. The first instance judgment requires the Italian not to touch a motorcycle until mid-June 2021. Then? It will be the resumption or a four-year suspension…
Iannone allegedly ate contaminated meat at a restaurant in the run-up to the 2019 Malaysian Grand Prix. As a result, the banned substance drostanolone was detected in samples A and B and Iannone was then suspended.
The team members were satisfied with the visit. Aleix Espargaró was also happy to welcome his teammate. He stated : " I met another Andrea. He changed. It was great to see him again. He looked relaxed. Apparently he won't drive this season, but he talked to all the engineers, was very open and he was in my box ».
“For Andrea, it’s a difficult moment”
« He had big problems, of course he can't take advantage of the situation. He hopes for a good result in October to be able to return. His case shows how important it is to have a united family behind you. Life tests us again and again and for Andrea it's a tough test right now. I don't know if we'll see another Andrea on the starting line when he returns. I think he will still be an explosive and fast driver then. But maybe he's a little more relaxed. We'll see what happens in October. I hope for him that he has good news » adds the Spaniard.
He finishes : " it was a good thing for the team that Andrea was in Misano. He was with his team, with his motorcycle and it was good for him too ».
