Finally on Tuesday, Andrea Innone landed in Kuala Lumpur to take part in this weekend’s Sepang MotoGP. His absence following the crash and the fracture to the T3 vertebra at Misano didn’t pass unnoticed.  His return after missing four races dissipated the rumours that had started circulating in the MotoGP paddock that there was something wrong in the relationship between the two parts: the Italian and Ducati.

Unfounded rumours, considered that the Italian Manufacturer has always offered a full support to his riders, as it happened back in 2009 when Casey Stoner missed several GPs for lactose intolerance.

Accompanied by the Argentinian showgirl Belen Rodriguez, Iannone is living a very special moment in his life and the incident in Misano had put a momentary stop to positive momentum in his professional career crowned with the victory in Austria mid-August.

How are you?
“I’m happy to be back and excited to return riding my bike. I was tired to watch the races from the sofa at home. This is my world, I’m looking forward to see my team and my bike.  I’m still not fully recovered. I was a bit too impatient at the beginning and I was the first to underestimate the situation.  

“On the contrary it was a long and difficult recovery. The doctors had warned me that it would have taken from two and a half to three months. A fractured vertebra takes time to heal. It is a similar injury to what happened to Davide Giugliano, he also confirmed me that it’s a long and painful process. Fortunately I could count on the full support from the Team and Ducati while I was at home. I had no pressure to come back . I’m grateful for that.”

How are you coping with the pain?
“It has been hard. I have been taking painkillers all the time. I took them after breakfast before going to train, and again after training. After one practice session in Aragon my back and my neck was blocked for a week. It has always been difficult to manage the situations that required some effort so it was not realistic to think to race in Japan or Australia.”

Which was the most difficult moment?
“Watching the races on TV from home was the worst moment. This is my world. At the same time the pain reminded me that it wouldn’t have been possible for me to ride and that i had to be patient. I knew that everybody was waiting for me.”

What kind of races  have you seen?
“I was watching at these guys, trying to study them, because you understand a lot from watching the practices and the races. What did I see? Marc Marquez has been very strong, the same is valid for Valentino and Cal.”

Do you expect to be able to ride the whole weekend?
“Yes this is intention.  I flew here for that. I’ll try my best here, and in the last two races with Ducati. The incident was a pity because I was doing really well in the second part of the season. I know that it won’t be an easy weekend on this track. Sepang is a very physically demanding track.

“The  torrid temperatures stress the body even more. Yes, the straight suits us as we can use all the power but this is not enough. The Ducati is a difficult bike. I’m curious to understand the feeling on the bike and how my body reacts, I will try to improve step by step through practice and close the weekend with a good result.”