MotoGP: Iannone: Four or five races to see the reality
Suzuki's Andrea Iannone believes it will taꦅke at least until the start of the European MotoGP season to see the 'reality' in terms of the 2018 title contender🍰s.
The Italian expects a repeat of last season, where ma💯ny bikes and riders show flashes of brilliance during pre-season testing and the open🔴ing races in Qatar, Argentina and Texas.
But from then on, Iannon꧟e feels, the𝔍 strongest will clearly emerge.
"I think after four or five races it will be possible to see very well the leve♑l," he said.
Suzuki's Andrea Iannone believes it will take at least until the 🐻start of the European MotoGP🌳 season to see the 'reality' in terms of the 2018 title contenders.
The Italian expects a repeat of last season, where many bikes and riders show flashes of brillianc♔e during pre-season testing and the opening races in Qatar, Argentina and Texas.
But from then on, Iannone feels, the strongest wilওl clearly emerge.
"I think after🌞 four or five races it will b♓e possible to see very well the level," he said.
"The fi🌱rst part of the season is always differe﷽nt. Like last year; in testing many riders were fast, but after four or five races you saw the reality."
Last season saw three different winners in the opening four races, and five winners by round eight. But M♚arc Marquez and Andre💖a Dovizioso then shared victories in the next nine races, setting up a Valencia title showdown.
In terms of what matte๊rs in pre-season testing, Iannone underlined that pace is always much more important than position on the timesheets.
"If I start last on the grid, but pole is only one tenth faster and my race pace is bett꧃er, it's possible to win the race. If I start on pole, but my pace is two-three tenths slower than the top ten, I won't win for sure.
"Pace is always the best."
Iannone left the Sepang test 13th overall, but just 0.785s🎃 from a record-breaking lap by Jorge Lorenzo. Team-mate Alex Rins was 0.267s quicker than The Maniac, in sixth.
In terms of all-important race pace, Honda's reign🍷ing world champion Marc Marquez was the man to beat - despite only sett🐼ing the eighth fastest lap time.
A race winner at Ducati, Iannone is looking to turn the page on a forgettable 2017. The Italian feels he and Suzuki have "a good chance" thisꦯ season.
"We learned a lot from last year," he explained. "Now I have more experience with the bike and the team h🍷as more experience with me.
"The bike has changed a little, I'm sure in a good direction and I'm🅘 feeling positive.
"I'm confident, but for sure this is also the most competitive year𝓀 of the championship.
"Many riders are very fast and the bikes - factory and satellite - a🔴re all very, ve🉐ry close.
"Many riders have a good opportunity to stay iဣn front. It's a very close, close championship but we will try our best for sure."
The second official pre-season test takes༺ place at Buriram, Thailand, from February 16-1ꦚ8.
Peter has been in the paddock for 20 years and has seen Valentino R𝄹ossi come and go. Heꦑ is at the forefront of the Suzuki exit story and Marc Marquez’s injury issues.
