Race preparation work in the heat of Misano

Misano, the Italian weekend begins with a burning Friday, the thermometer showed over 30 degrees since the first session. Hot track, different conditions compared to the test 10 days ago, poor general grip. Andrea Iannone took advantage of this Day 1 to work in view of the race, without looking for a time attack; only one tyre per session, with around 20 laps each. FP 1 was crucial for readjusting the set-up and electronics of the Ducati Panigale V4-R, exploiting the strengths in the second and fourth sectors. Eleventh place, despite the last fifteen minutes spent in the garage to serve a penalty come from Most.

Free Practice 1:
P 1    T. Razgatlioglu    1.33.031
P 2    N. Bulega  + 0.226
P 3    A. Bautista   + 0.341
…
P 11    A. Iannone   + 1.141

In FP 2, number 29 tested the front SC 2, Pirelli’s hardest solution, in the first part of the session, immediately dropping to the high 33 and placing himself in the temporary Top 3. Some adjustments to the set-up, the team opted not to change the tyres and save some sets for the rest of the weekend. Andrea was back on the high 33 in the final stages despite the drop of the rear tire, making a comparison with the front SC 1. The first sector is still the weak point here in Misano, while in the second and fourth he confirms to be very fast and competitive.

Free Practice 2:
P 1   N. Bulega   1.32.722
P 2   T. Razgatlioglu    + 0.190
P 3   Y. Montella   + 0.918
…
P 9    A. Iannone   + 1.125

Only two tenths off the top three in the second round, there are still several areas to improve and find a few tenths, but the home weekend started with a positive Friday overall. Manageable foot pain, will need to be monitored over the weekend, but for now there doesn’t seem to be any issues for the long races.

Andrea Iannone (Rider): 

“The conditions changed a lot compared to the test, the heat has decreased the grip on the asphalt and we had to readjust our set-up. In the afternoon we made a step forward, I felt better especially in turning the bike. We are all very close, but we still have some areas to improve, I worked with race tyres without looking for the time. Tomorrow the qualifying will be important, let’s see what we can achieve on Saturday.”

Misano Race One – A crash in turn 13, P7 in Superpole

Unfortunately, the day ended early on Saturday at Misano, with a crash on the third lap of Race 1 that knocked Andrea Iannone and Team Pata Go Eleven out of the fight for the Top Ten. The pace seemed good, number 29 was trying to recover when he lost the front at turn 13.

In the morning, with a few degrees less on the asphalt, Andrea did not find any major improvements compared to yesterday, not approving the change to the rear shock. The bike came back to yesterday’s set-up, and the focus moves on qualifying.

Free Practice 3:
P 1    N. Bulega   1.32.323
P 2    T. Razgatlioglu    + 0.285
P 3    A. Bautista    + 0.462
…
P 15    A. Iannone   + 1.211

In Superpole, number 29 immediately found a good rhythm, riding under 33 on the first lap, then with the second time attack he printed a 32.5 just two tenths from last year’s record. Seventh position, a few thousandths from fourth place but a good qualifying, which places the Ducati Pata Go Eleven on the third row. On the in-lap Andrea and Bulega slightly impede Petrucci, both being penalized for slow riding. Tenth position on the grid for Race 1.

Superpole:
P 1   N. Bulega  1.31.618
P 2   T. Razgatlioglu  + 0.238
P 3   A. Bassani  + 0.719
…
P 7   A. Iannone   + 0.953

Race 1 unfortunately lasts very few corners, Andrea finds some traffic in T1, unable to gain positions. He then starts a battle with Lecuona that ends at the Curvone of the second lap, when the 29 loses the front and ends the race in the gravel. The rider is ok, but a zero that follows up on the complicated moment. It’s a shame, because it seems that the pace was good and Andrea was able to follow Bautista quite easily, but it’s difficult to evaluate a race that lasted two laps.

Race 1:
P 1   T. Razgatlioglu   32’53.702
P 2    N. Bulega  + 1.045
P 3    D. Petrucci   + 11.424
…
DNF A. Iannone

This weekend can still be turned, the track still offers two races to try to get important points, starting this time, at least in the Superpole Race from P 7. No giving up, there is the desire to give satisfaction to the many fans who came to Misano 2025!

Andrea Iannone (Rider): 

“I’m sorry for the missed opportunity today, I had a good Superpole, lapping in 32.5, which took me to P7. Unfortunately a penalty made me lose three positions on the grid, starting tenth. In the race I felt good, I was trying to recover positions but to defend myself from Lecuona I crashed in Turn 13. It’s a negative period for us, we can’t find results, but we don’t give up and we’ll try again tomorrow!”

Denis Sacchetti (Team Manager): 
“Another crash, today we didn’t need it because we could have done a good race in front of our guests and got back from a difficult moment. Unfortunately we are not very lucky and we are not getting the results we hoped for. Tomorrow we will try again, we start seventh which is an excellent position, and we will do our best to conclude the weekend in a good way!”

Sunday to forget in Misano with penalties and a crash after starting last on the grid

Misano, an unlucky weekend, started in the wrong way on Saturday and ended in the gravel of Race 2. Jump start in the Superpole race, violation of the minimum tyre pressure on the grid in the afternoon, with consequent start from the back of the grid, climb up to eighth position, then crash a few laps from the end.

In the Warm Up Andrea made a few laps to check that the bike was in order following the heavy crash yesterday. All ok, difficult to make comparisons with fresh asphalt compared to the central hours of the day.

The Superpole Race, unfortunately, practically ends at the start, when Andrea starts first and got a Jump Start, a double long lap penalty. Furthermore, when releasing the clutch, he locks up immediately after starting, thus also losing several positions on the track. Penalty served, about 8 seconds lost in total, race gone. Twelfth position on the starting grid for race 2.

Superpole Race:
P 1   T. Razgatlioglu   15’37.641
P 2   A. Lowes   + 4.281
P 3   A. Locatelli   + 6.122
…
P 17   A. Iannone   + 26.670 (2 x Long lap Penalty)

In Race 2 Andrea was removed from the grid for rear tyre pressure infringement (1.65); once the correct value was restored, he started last and started a spectacular comeback, climbing up to eighth place. In the final laps, however, his right boot opened and it slowed down the 29 in the right-hand corners. With three laps to go he got stuck in the rear brake and crashes. No damage, but another zero in the standings. The post-race tests highlighted how the problem on the grid was due to an abnormal loss of temperature on the rear tyre, which will be investigated further in the coming days.

Race 2:
P 1   T. Razgatlioglu    32’54.968
P 2   N. Bulega   + 9.685
P 3   A. Bautista   + 14.438
…
DNF

A. Iannone:

There is little left to save in this Round 06, but in Race 2 Andrea showed grit and determination in climbing the standings to the maximum possible result. We need to start from there to get motivated again for Donington. We are only halfway through the championship, there is time to change the history of this 2025!

Andrea Iannone (Rider): 

“A negative Sunday and weekend for us in Misano, today everything happened, from the jump start of the Superpole Race, to the infringement of the tyre pressure at the back on the grid and finally the crash at the end, caused by the boot that opened during the laps. I take home the nice comeback I made from the last place on the grid to P8, I hope to start again from those good feelings I had for the Donington Round”

Denis Sacchetti (Team Manager):

“The home race always has a lot of expectations and you want to give a good weekend to the public and sponsors. Today, however, unfortunately nothing went as it should. On the grid of race 2 our rear wheel lost temperature causing the pressure to drop below 1.65 and we had to start last on the grid. It was our mistake and we take the blame. Andrea was good managing to climb up to eighth position, but a problem with his boot made him get stuck with the footrest, then crashing. A weekend that we didn’t deserve and we will try to turn this negative streak around from the next race, we have the potential to do so. Thanks to everyone who came to visit us here in Misano making us feel their warmth, it was a negative weekend on the track but amazing in terms of people!”