Podium at Austin for Iannone, third in the GP of the Americas. Dovizioso retires after being hit by Pedrosa’s bike while fighting in the leading group

Andrea Iannone scored a podium at Austin thanks to a third place finish in the GP of the Americas, which was held this afternoon at the Texan circuit.

 

The Italian rider, who started from row 3, came across the line in seventh place at the end of the opening lap and then moved up through the field to third in the standings after Rossi, Dovizioso and Pedrosa all crashed out and thanks to a pass on Aleix Espargarò. Iannone held on to third place until the chequered flag, finishing the race behind Marquez and Lorenzo.

 

Andrea Dovizioso had yet another unfortunate race after starting from row 2. The Italian, after an excellent start, finished the opening lap in second place and maintained that position until lap 5 when he was passed by Lorenzo. Dovizioso remained right behind his Spanish rival and was defending the position from a fast-recovering Pedrosa, when the Honda man made a mistake under braking at the first corner, hitting the Desmosedici GP of the blameless Italian rider and putting an end to his great race.

 

Andrea Iannone (Ducati Team #29) – 3rd

“It was really important for me to finish on the podium today, but more than anything else to finish this race with a good result. I was sorry I was demoted one row on the grid and in addition, at the start, I made contact with Dani and Aleix and lost a few places. In the race however I was very constant and always lapped with a good pace, very close to Jorge’s, and if I had started well, maybe I could even have fought it out for second place. In any case I am pleased with the way the GP went and I’d like to dedicate this podium to Ducati and to all the team because I made them suffer in the first two races and I hope that this result repays them for the commitment and the work that they are doing for me.”

 

Andrea Dovizioso (Ducati Team #04) – DNF

“I am really very disappointed because once again today I was unable to finish my race following a mistake by another rider, and losing two possible podiums out of three is the hardest thing to accept in view of the championship. However I also want to look at the positive aspects: I didn’t hurt myself and given the way the incident happened it could have been a lot worse. In addition, in three different races, in very difficult situations to manage for the tyres, we have always been able to fight for the podium. Today we could have been second in the championship just a few points behind Marquez, so from this point of view I am very pleased with the work that we are doing. Even when we are not so fast in practice, in the race we always manage to be competitive: this is the way a factory rider has to race when he is thinking about the championship.”

 

Luigi Dall’Igna (Ducati Corse General Manager)

“Today’s podium compensates, at least in part, for last Sunday’s disappointment in Argentina. Iannone ran an intelligent race, without making any mistakes, and he brought home a third place that was important for his morale, and that of the entire team. Dovizioso was really unlucky, because also on this occasion he was having a great race and was unfortunately involved in Pedrosa’s crash while in third place. Luckily Andrea did not suffer any major physical consequences and now, after getting over the understandable disappointment, we will get back to work with him to prepare for the Jerez GP in the best possible way. Again at Austin, the Desmosedici GP showed that it was competitive and so we will return to Europe with the knowledge that we have done a good job in this early part of the season.”