Andrea Iannone will return with Ducati in the World Superbike Championship

Published by Stree Missile on 06/09/202306/09/2023

The world of motorcycling receives exciting news with the announcement that Andrea Iannone, renowned Italian rider, will return to the tracks in the World Superbike Championship in 2024. This comeback will be in partnership with an old acquaintance: Ducati, the team he was part of from 2013 to 2016 in the premier class of MotoGP.

Andrea Iannone's career was overshadowed by a doping suspension that kept him away from competition for some time. However, with the end date of his suspension scheduled for November 1st of this year, the Italian rider is eager to return and showcase his skills on the tracks once again.

Although it hasn't been officially confirmed which Ducati team Iannone will compete for, the main options seem to be GoEleven or Barni. Gigi Dall’Igna, Ducati's experienced team manager, commented on Iannone's return: "Andrea was an important name for the brand. When I arrived, my first victory was Iannone's at the Red Bull Ring in 2016, so I remember very well his big heart and how he always tries to give his best. This is something I have to respect."

However, Dall’Igna clarified that Iannone will not be on an official Ducati bike but rather on one of the satellite bikes. Despite this, the team's enthusiasm for his return is evident in their words.

In a recent interview with Icon Magazine, Andrea Iannone reflected on his career and his return to Ducati. "If I had thought as I do now, I would have done many things differently," he admitted. He also expressed his deep affection for Ducati: "I only regret leaving Ducati. I had several options, I chose what seemed right to me (Suzuki), but I left my heart there."

Iannone has no doubts about his return after his suspension period and is determined to get back on track with resolve. "Throughout the years, I've always worked to come back. I've lost a lot of time, but the most important thing is to take it all with dignity. I don't want revenge, I've never liked it, I've always felt free in recent years. I hope to return to doing what I love, riding the bike at 300 km/h, as strong as I can," he explained.

The initial 18-month suspension imposed by the International Motorcycling Federation was surrounded by controversy as the World Anti-Doping Agency appealed the decision for a four-year penalty, an appeal that was confirmed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Iannone argued that his positive test was due to the ingestion of contaminated food during the 2019 Asian tour, but his appeal was dismissed.

Andrea Iannone's return promises to be an exciting chapter in the history of motorcycling, and Ducati fans are eager to see him compete once again on the Superbike tracks in 2024.