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FIRST ROW IN SUPERPOLE, SIXTH IN RACE 1 DESPITE SUDDEN TECHNICAL PROBLEMS!
On Saturday at Phillip Island, temperatures changed drastically compared to the previous days; heat and asphalt around 55 degrees affected performance. A day of two shades for the Go Eleven team; third in Superpole, on the front row, then in the Race a technical problem combined with a first rear tyre that did not work perfectly forced Andrea to fight for positions outside the podium. It’s a shame, given the positive weekend so far, but the number 29 did not give up and got important points despite the seconds lost in the first stint of the race. Perfect flag-to-flag for Go Eleven, managing to recover three positions.
In FP 3, Andrea entered with the new rear development solution, not feeling comfortable; quick tyre change to the standard SC 1 used, immediately finding good vibes. Last part of the session with the qualifying tyre; Andrea was able to make good use of it in the first sectors, then he found a bit of traffic, losing especially in the fast turn 12 that leads to the straight. Top 5 anyway, at the end of the session, certifying the good speed even with warmer asphalt.
Free Practice 3:
P 1 N. Bulega 1.28.903
P 2 T. Razgatlioglu + 0.203
P 3 A. Bautista + 0.225
P 4 D. Petrucci + 0.323
P 5 A. Iannone + 0.405
Today’s Superpole was interrupted by a red flag due to Lecuona’s crash and consequent injury, forcing the teams to review their strategies; Andrea was able to complete only one lap on the first rear tyre, placing himself in the top three. Second attempt, the number 29 was doing a perfect lap close to the pole, only to then find a slower rider in the third sector; 1.29. 2 with an overtaking in the third sector was still a good lap for the front row. An important result to be able to better manage the races.
Superpole:
P 1 N. Bulega 1.28.824
P 2 T. Razgatlioglu + 0.094
P 3 A. Iannone + 0.442
In Race 1 the rider from Vasto had a good start, trying to follow a very fast Bulega trying to open the gap from the others. From the second lap, however, a technical problem slowed him down, forcing him to go straight several times, especially in turn one; this was combined with a rear tyre that did not work as well as the next one after the tyre change. 5 seconds lost in the first part of the race, 7.5 seconds the gap from the victory on the finish line. Pit stop at the right time, with perfect work by the guys, allowed Andrea to recover three positions on the Bimotas and then on Locatelli, also closing the gap on the fight for the podium. In the slipstream of Redding and Petrucci it was impossible to attack, but having finished the race in sixth position despite the problem encountered means great determination. It’s a shame because it was a possible podium missed but the points are important for the Championship.
P 1 N. Bulega 31’11.497
P 2 T. Razgatlioglu + 4.811
P 3 A. Bautista + 5.108
…
P 6 A. Iannone + 7.548
Having identified and solved what happened in Race 1, tomorrow there are two more opportunities to get back on top and conclude the work done so far. Never give up, the bitterness is a further stimulus for the Australian Sunday!
Andrea Iannone (Rider):
Denis Sacchetti (Team Manager):
“Today the race didn’t give us what we deserved, unfortunately a technical problem and a non-optimal rear grip in the first part of the race, which we are still analyzing at the moment, compromised what could have been a good performance following the excellent speed we have had from the tests to the qualifying. In any case in the race we managed to underline our pace, Andrea was really fast with the second tyre despite the difficulties and this gives us motivation for tomorrow. Thanks to the whole team that is doing a great job!”
SATURDAY PICTURES: CLICK HERE
