MotoGP: Iannone makes a statement with fastest time

Andrea Iannone has made a statement only 24 hours after confirming that he wouldn’t be retained by Suzuki for 2019, by topping the opening day of action at his home race in Mugello. He ended the day nearly half a second ahead of Yamaha rider Maverick Viñales, with Marc Marquez making it three manufacturers on the provisional front row.

Johann Zarco was fourth, leading an all-satellite row of Jack Miller and Cal Crutchlow, with an all-Italian line-up of Valentino Rossi, Franco Morbidelli and Danilo Petrucci, while Jorge Lorenzo rounded out the top ten.

Speaking afterwards, Iannone said: “I recovered my head here in Mugello, after a couple of difficult years here. Fortunately the feeling with the bike here is really good, and everything is going really well in the garage. Since the start of this year I’ve worked in a different way with my team, and it’s really good. We have a great chance at this track and I’m pumped to have the support of the fans, but of course it’s difficult because all the riders are really close, but I’m ready for the fight and I won’t give up! My feeling is improving race by race.”