Iannone is forfeited for this first event of an overseas tour which includes three. The fault lies with this T3 vertebra affected during a violent fall in free practice at Misano. Motegi is the third absence imposed for health reasons after the San Marino and Aragon Grand Prix. But a fourth is looming on the horizon: Phillip Island.
According to Charles Pernat his manager, the vertebra would only be 30% consolidated. And it causes suffering, a suffering which convinced the nevertheless solid Jo the Maniac not to go any further in Aragon than the first free practice session.
The Motegi is currently doing without him and it is for the benefit of a Barbera for the official Ducati rider coup in Japan. An absence that his teammate commented on Dovizioso on GP One : " Frankly, I am surprised by this package. But when you have certain problems, you are the only one who knows all the parameters. Andrea and I don't talk much or spend more time together and to be honest, I haven't asked her anything. He has his reasons for making this choice, good or bad. ».
A comment which opens the door to a reason other than that of health from a rider who will leave Ducati at the end of this season and who has already done the essential this year by winning a first victory at the RedBull Ring . But reading messages from Iannone on his social network, the frustration of an obligatory package is not in doubt and leaves no room for any sulking: “I have experienced many feelings in my life: from fear to happiness, pain and joy, but I had never experienced this before. I'm like an eagle with its wings attached or a lion in a cage ».
« I have always earned what I have, I have always decided, I have always fought and taken risks. This is different, I just have to wait and it's terrible! I miss the Grands Prix, its atmosphere, its noises, the people, my team, my bike, my work. I miss not flying because it is my life, my treasure, my reason for being. We'll see each other again soon because I can't continue like this! » However, it may still be necessary for a little longer. As far as Malaysia?
