© 2024, Roadracing World Publishing, Inc. From A press release Provided by Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing
The Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team has confirmed that Andrea Iannone will replace Fabio Di Giantantonio at the Malaysian Petronas Grand Prix. The team cites both positives in WorldSBK and Iannone’s good relationship with Valentino Rossi, the entire Tavlia team and the Borgo Panigale factory. Iannone won MotoGP™ with Ducati in 2016 and has 11 podiums in the premier class. Returning to competition in WordsSBK in 2024, he finished the season eighth overall with 231 points and a victory at the Tissot Aragon round.
As reported, Fabio Di Giannantonio is returning to Rome this week after Professor Alessandro Castagna underwent surgery on his left shoulder in preparation for the upcoming season.
Alessio Salucci, Team Director Pertamina Enduro VR46 Racing Team: “I am very happy to confirm that Andrea will compete in our colors at the Ducati Desmosedici GP. First of all, Andrea proved to be in great shape; He finished the WorldSBK season on a high and is always close to Ducati. He is also a great friend of the VR46 family, both personally and Vale. Welcome to the Pertamina Enduro VR46 racing team and we’re excited to see him back on a MotoGP bike. It’s really a great story! Likewise, we all wish Fabio the best of luck as he undergoes shoulder surgery this week and can’t wait to get back on track in 2025.
Andrea Iannone: “It’s exciting to ride a world champion bike. MotoGP is a very technological and high-performance motorcycle; I am honored that you have thought of me, and feel obliged to take advantage of this opportunity as it presents itself to me. Since I haven’t ridden a bike in this category for years and haven’t done any testing, the challenge is definitely crazy, complex and important. I’m very happy to work with Ducati and the Pertamina Enduro VR46 racing team, thanks to both the very high level and the friendship we have built over the years. I would like to thank Valentino Rossi, Alessio Salucci, Pablo Nieto, Gigi Daligna, Claudio Domenicali and Mauro Gracili.”
