Andrea Iannone is set to make his return to MotoGP this weekend in Malaysia, racing for the Valentino Rossi-owned Ducati-VR46 team after serving a four-year doping ban. The 35-year-old rider steps in for Fabio Di Giannantonio, who is sidelined due to shoulder surgery.
Expressing his gratitude for the opportunity, Iannone stated, "I'm honoured that they thought of me, and I felt like I had to say yes to this opportunity immediately as soon as it was offered."
The upcoming race presents a significant challenge for Iannone, who has not competed in the premier class for several years and has not undergone any recent testing or practice. He acknowledged the complexity and demands of returning to MotoGP after a long absence, emphasizing the daunting nature of the task ahead.
Iannone's previous doping case stemmed from a positive test for an anabolic steroid collected at the 2019 Malaysian MotoGP, for which he initially received an 18-month suspension that was later extended to four years by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
Iannone has been eligible to compete again since the start of this season and has been participating in the Superbike World Championship. Team director Alessio Salucci expressed excitement about Iannone's return, noting, "He is a great friend of the VR46 family, both mine and Vale's (Rossi)."
Iannone previously rode for Aprilia and has a solid MotoGP track record, including 11 podium finishes and a single victory at the 2016 Austrian Grand Prix on a Ducati.
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