MOTOGP: Iannone had 'possibility to stay with Ducati'

Suzuki-bound MotoGP rider Andrea Iannone says it was not purely Ducati's call that he would leave the Italian manufacturer at the end of this year.

Ducati confirmed its capture of three-time world champion Jorge Lorenzo from Yamaha in April, but said from the outset it would keep either Iannone or Andrea Dovizioso next year. The more-experienced Dovizioso got the nod to partner Lorenzo and Iannone has subsequently signed with Suzuki to replace Maverick Vinales.

However, Iannone says the situation was not as clear cut as Ducati picking between its incumbent Italian riders.

"Ducati decided in this way and I had the possibility to remain with Ducati but some parts of the contract did not satisfy me 100 percent," he said. "I want to change a little bit some parts, but this is not possible, and in the other way I have a very good opportunity and proposal from Suzuki. For me, it's better I come in this new adventure.

"Now I want to focus 100 percent for this season, because we have a lot of races and it's very important to finish in a very good way, with a good result. Me and Ducati have a very good potential this year."

Iannone joined the factory Ducati team in 2015 and has claimed four podium finishes, after spending his first two seasons in MotoGP with the satellite Pramac outfit.

He says he has noted Suzuki's progress, and likes the idea of being its lead rider, with a decision still to be made on his 2017 teammate.

"I am very, very happy for this," he said of the move. "It's very important for me as a first rider in a factory and Suzuki shows a very good project. Ducati supported me from the beginning in 2013, so thanks a lot for everything; my first podium in the MotoGP class was with this factory. But OK, the future is different and I am very happy for this."

Ducati, meanwhile, will run a third factory Desmosedici in this weekend's Italian Grand Prix, for test rider Michele Pirro.

It will be Pirro's fourth MotoGP start of the season, having stood in for injured Pramac Ducati rider Danilo Petrucci earlier this year.

Originally on Autosport.com