Andrea Iannone Leaves Suzuki, Will Join Aprilia Instead
Suzuki Motor Corporation has announced that they will be parting ways with Italian professional MotoGP rider Andrea Iannone at the end of the 2018 season.
(Image taken from AutoSport)
In the two years where they collaborated together, Suzuki stated that Andrea has “played an integral part in the growth of Suzuki’s MotoGP project, as well as assisting in the development of [their] GSX-RR.”
Wishing Iannone all the best in “what is sure to be a bright and successful future”, the Japanese company also thanked the racer for all the help and positive results they have achieved together.
As the 2018 season is still ongoing, Suzuki will still be supporting the Italian the best they can, but when he leaves, Suzuki will have to find a replacement. Currently, they have Alex Rins in their lineup, and it is rumoured that Joan Mir will be joining the Suzuki team and racing alongside Rins in the next MotoGP season.
(Image taken from Aprilia)
So where will Andrea Iannone be headed to next?
Following the news of Iannone leaving Suzuki, Italian manufacturer Aprilia then announced that they will be signing the MotoGP racer on for the 2019 and 2020 seasons.
Iannone is confirmed to be racing alongside Aleix Espargaró on the Aprilia RS-GP. With his experience, speed and a desire to win at top levels, Iannone and Aprilia Racing aims to “tackle a thrilling challenge with every intention of rising to the occasion.”
According to the press release, it is also stated that the “return of an Italian rider to Aprilia is also reason for great pride in the Piaggio Group and it honours the long-standing tradition of great champions and unforgettable wins for the manufacturer from Noale which has fostered and raised up almost all the best Italian talent in recent World Grand Prix Motorcycle Racing history.”
The racing manager of Aprilia, Romano Albesiano said: “With Iannone, we have another highly talented and fast rider who is also demonstrating his value this season. His arrival is a sign of the Piaggio Group and Aprilia’s growing commitment to the MotoGP programme, where our bike has already demonstrated that it can rely on a valid technical base. Now we need to stay focused on the 2018 season, beginning from the next GP of Barcelona. We have a strong team that has never stopped working hard. We want to keep growing and take the RS-GP where it deserves to be this season, which is still long, with Aleix and Scott, speaking of whom, I wish to thank publicly for his great professionalism and for his consistently high level of commitment.”
(Image taken from MotorSport .com)
Team manager Fausto Gresini added on: “The combination of Iannone and Aprilia will be fantastic – one of the most interesting in MotoGP – and it has the potential to bring great results. Andrea is a strong, fast and concrete rider. I think that he will be able to provide great support for the team and contribute to the development of the bike. And then, there is no denying that it is always a pleasure to have an Italian rider on an Italian bike Welcome, Andrea. Let’s have fun!”
As the youngest in the MotoGP championship, Aprilia Racing has lots of potential and the Iannone-Espargaró duo is said to be one of the fastest combinations in MotoGP.
This take the Aprilia MotoGP Project one step higher, as they strive to grow and development the entire Aprilia range - both on the track and road.