Friday sees Andrea Iannone finish P7 for Team Go Eleven

Sunny Friday with rather mild temperatures, the one that welcomed the WorldSBK protagonists on Day 1 in Assen; track in excellent conditions, asphalt that warmed up as the hours passed. Andrea Iannone and Team Pata Go Eleven concluded a rather positive day, always placing themselves around the Top Five and working mainly with used tyres and in race configuration. Fourth in the morning, seventh final place, many laps on the low 34, showing that the base is good and there is the possibility to fight for the top positions.

In FP 1 the temperatures around 14 degrees of asphalt led to the choice to start with the rear SC0 compound. The rider from Vasto found the right feeling from the start, remaining for the whole session in the upper parts of the rankings. Small adjustments to the geometry of the bike led Andrea to improve the references at the end of the session, despite not using a new tyre in the final minutes. P 4, despite a bit of traffic in the last sector that did not allow him to complete the best lap.

Free Practice 1: 
P 1    A. Bautista   1.34.365
P 2    T. Razgatlioglu  + 0.102
P 3    N. Bulega   + 0.272
P 4    A. Iannone   + 0.395

In FP 2 we chose to start with the new Pirelli solution on the rear (126), which immediately proved to be stable and performing, able to adapt better to the warmer asphalt compared to the morning. 10 laps at a good pace, between 34.1 and 34.8, a sign of consistency and repeatability. Something to fix, in terms of electronics, mainly when exiting corners. Compared to FP 1, Andrea managed to improve very significantly both the first and third sectors, maintaining his strong point in the second one.

Free Practice 2:
P 1   N. Bulega   1.33.592
P 2   A. Bassani    + 0.252
P 3   T. Razgatlioglu  + 0.319
…
P 7    A. Iannone   + 0.550

Saturday is expected to be similar to today, with even milder temperatures, which should not change the values ​​on the track too much; analyzing the data collected, comparing and understanding the areas in which we can improve will be the key to improve some few tenths in view of qualifying; the gaps here in Assen are very close, so even a few hundredths can make the difference. It has to be riminded that tomorrow there will be the first superpole with the real qualifying tyre, the SCQ, available for the first time this season here in Assen!

Andrea Iannone (Rider): 

“Solid first day at the TT Circuit, the weather was sunny all day and allowed us to carry out our program in a linear way. Between FP1 and FP2 the track warmed up a lot, the conditions changed a bit, and we tested the various compound solutions brought here to Assen. I lapped quite well on race pace, my Best Lap came on lap nine, which gives me confidence for the race. Now let’s analyze the data, we need to improve some areas, especially on corner exit. Here we are all close, tomorrow it’s important to get a good position in qualifying.”

A crash in Race One at the end of a tough Saturday

A complicated day, this Saturday in Assen for the Pata Go Eleven Team and Andrea Iannone; double crash during the day, a heavy one at the end of qualifying, which forced the guys to work overtime, putting the second bike on the track for Race 1. Zero points, now it is essential to reset to restart with the two opportunities tomorrow.

In FP 3 the number 29 restarted with the used rear tyre, showing a good pace and approving the changes made between Friday and Saturday. Very cold temperatures, around 10 degrees of asphalt, which made the session not very useful for the rest of the day. Last stint with the SCQ, to test it with a view to Superpole, Andrea goes below the 34, but is unable to fully exploit the fourth sector.

Free Practice 3: 
P 1    A. Locatelli   1.33.359
P 2    N. Bulega    + 0.007
P 3    D. Petrucci  + 0.161
…
P 9    A. Iannone   + 0.598

Qualifying was the session that changed the fate of Saturday in Assen; solid first attempt, all the riders are within a few hundredths, but the 29 was able to obtain the seventh place momentarily. Second Q tyre, a small problem slows Andrea, who tries to finish the lap anyway, but can do nothing but defend the tenth final place; not the hoped result, but still a position that does not compromise the races. On the very last lap at turn 7, after the practice start, the rider from Vasto loses control of the Ducati Panigale V4R, falling at high speed. The bike goes high and the damage is extensive, not repairable in a few hours, so much so that the second bike is used for Race 1. Rider ok, despite the big scrape on the asphalt.

Superpole:
P 1   S. Lowes  1.32.596
P 2   N. Bulega   + 0.164
P 3   T. Razgatlioglu + 0.219
…
P 10   A. Iannone   + 0.676

Starting a race after such a heavy crash, and also with the spare bike, is never easy. After a promising start, where he manages to recover some positions, Andrea makes a couple of mistakes in the first and last sector, which lead him to take a few tenths of a gap from Van der Mark in front of him. On the seventh lap, while he is fighting for the final Top 5 (considering the final standing), he loses the front in turn 4 and is forced to end the race early. The feeling between the two bikes is never the same, but the first laps seemed promising, which can be positive in view of tomorrow.

Race 1:
P 1   N. Bulega   33’39.732
P 2    A. Locatelli   + 7.801
P 3    D. Petrucci  + 14.827
…
DNF   A. Iannone

A heavy zero, which does not repay the work done in the garage to get the bike back on track, and above all because a Top 5 result was within reach. Now we must put this day aside and forget it as soon as possible, think about Sunday and take advantage of the two opportunities that Superbike offers; double race tomorrow, double chance to redeem today’s result!

Andrea Iannone (Rider): 

“A complicated day for us here in Assen; this morning I had a good pace with used tyres, then in Superpole, in the second attempt I had a problem, I tried to push and try to improve my time anyway, but I didn’t succeed, so I started tenth. With a few hundredths better I could have improved at least one row, then unfortunately on the re-entry lap I crashed heavily in turn 7. In the race I had to start with the second bike, but I didn’t have a great feeling and I lose the front in turn 4. I’m sorry for not taking points, I’ll give my all tomorrow to finish positively. I want to thank the whole team anyway, because they worked hard to get me back on track.”

Denis Sacchetti (Team Manager): 
“It’s difficult to comment on this day, it’s part of racing, but when the weekend seemed to be going well, Andrea crashed on the return lap to the garage, causing a lot of damage to bike 1. We were forced to start the race with the reserve bike, something that doesn’t usually give the rider a good feeling. After the crash, however, time was short and there were no other solutions. Unfortunately, in the race he losed the front in turn 4 and we scored another zero, which I’m sorry about because we could have fought in the Top 5/6 anyway, a result that would have given morale and confidence to the team and rider. Now we have to recover our morale for tomorrow, aiming for the best possible placement, trying to turn our weekend around!”

Team Go Eleven’s Superpole Race ends on the first lap. Strong comeback for Race Two.

A Sunday of ups and downs for the Pata Go Eleven Team in Assen; the day started under the typical Dutch rain, Superpole Race with Rain tyres, then the sun dried the Assen track, allowing a spectacular and tight Race 2. Two incredible first laps by Andrea Iannone, from tenth to fourth in SP Race, from fourteenth to fifth in Race 2, did not lead to the final result hoped for, although redeeming, however, the difficult yesterday with the ninth final place and a good battle in the afternoon.

The Warm Up with a lot of water on the track inaugurated the last day at the TT – Circuit; five laps for Andrea Iannone, who proved to be satisfied with the feeling with the rain tyres, without taking particular risks, also considering the very low temperatures, below ten degrees.

Warm Up: 
P 1    N. Bulega   1.45.102
P 2    A. Locatelli  + 0.499
P 3    S. Redding   + 0.602
…
P 12   A. Iannone   + 2.939

For the Superpole Race the asphalt begins to dry, but the ideal line still remains wet and almost the whole grid opts for Rain tyres. The rider from Vasto has a perfect start, turning fifth in turn 1, then fourth in turn 5. A first lap of hard battle with Locatelli begins, the two exchange for four turns in a row, then the hopes of Team Pata Go Eleven end at the final chicane; rear brake blocked, race over. A shame, because the Superpole Race also provides the starting grid for Race 2, and a good result could have turned the day around. Assen does not seem to want to smile on the yellow Ducati number 29.

Superpole Race:
P 1   T. Razgatlioglu  16’40.209
P 2   S. Lowes    + 3.798
P 3   A. Bautista   + 6.865
…
DNF   A. Iannone   

Forced to start Race 2 from fourteenth position, Andrea reacts perfectly to the green light, attacking very well in the first lap; fifth at the finish line, nine positions recovered in one lap! With new tyres and the full tank, the feeling with the front is critical, and in an attempt to defend the inside in Turn 1, he goes straight, losing many positions, and finds himself thirteenth. There the real comeback begins, improving his own references lap after lap, overtaking Aegerter, Van der Mark and re-entering the fight for P6. Best Lap of the race on the fourteenth lap, 1.34.574, at that point the second fastest rider on the track; he recovers the group formed by Lecuona, A. Lowes, Petrucci, and at the end Toprak, ignites the fight with the Italian rider of Barni, overtaking him three laps from the end. Unfortunately the challenge with Danilo made him lose a couple of tenths, which did not give him the chance to attack other riders at the end. The pace was there and Andrea was able to manage the tyres, changing pace in the second half. The ninth final place does not fully repay the efforts made by the whole Team, but it remains a good race from which to restart and find spirit for the next Round.

Race 2:
P 1   A. Locatelli  33’17.693
P 2   A. Bautista    + 2.968
P 3   R. Gardner   + 4.396
…
P 9   A. Iannone    + 13.273

A difficult weekend, but there was a good response in the two final races, partially redeeming the two zeros between Race 1 and Portimao; today the race pace was good, enough to be able to recover several positions. Of course, ninth place is not a satisfying result, but the important thing is to find confidence and morale with which to build the next races. Round 04, Cremona, the home stage 02-04 May; we can’t wait to get back in front of the Italians spectators!

Andrea Iannone (Rider): 

“Today I gave it all to make up for yesterday’s difficult day. In the SP race we started with the Rain tyres, and my feeling with the wet was very good. I started well, I was fourth, I fought with Locatelli in the first lap for third place, but I had already noticed a problem with the rear brake, which then got stuck at the last variant and I had to retire from the race. For Race 2 the track was dry, I started very well, recovering various positions, then with a full tank of fuel I couldn’t push well on the front, I went straight and lost a few positions. From halfway through the race onwards I was among the fastest on the track, so much so that I came back and was fighting for sixth place and I was the fastest of the group; I managed the tyres well and in any case I brought home a result from which we have to restart again. I want to thank everyone for this weekend, we worked hard and achieved less than we deserved, but I hope to be back in front already from the next race in Cremona!”

Denis Sacchetti (Team Manager): 
“Assen turned out to be more bitter than expected, today in the Superpole Race Andrea had a great pace, he was even third, but a problem with the rear brake forced us to retire; we are very angry on these occasions, because we could have completely changed our weekend, but unfortunately in this rounds things are not going the right way. In the Race Andrea was the author of a masterful first lap, he practically overtook a rider in a corner, gaining nine positions; then in the first phase of the race we suffered a bit with the new tyre and the full tank of fuel, but after that we recovered with great enthusiasm. A couple more laps and he could have finished sixth. In any case we take home a ninth position, a starting point to get back to the front!”