After weeks of uncertainty, Fabio Di Giannantonio has finally announced his intention to have shoulder surgery before the end of the MotoGP season, missing the Sepang and Valencia Grands Prix. With Michele Pirro strongly tipped to take his place at the Valencia Grand Prix and also for post-season testing, Ducati and the Pertamina Enduro VR46 team are looking at a replacement for the Malaysian Grand Prix at Sepang. Two names stand out: Andrea Iannone and Nicolò Bulega…
Ducati seems according to Motosprint to favor
Andrea Iannonecurrently driver of the Go Eleven team in WorldSBK.
Iannone would thus return to MotoGP, where he competed in his last race before his disciplinary suspension… With proven experience in MotoGP and an established connection with
Ducatithis return would be a symbolic way for
Iannone to close a chapter of his career by reconnecting with the MotoGP paddock, even if it is only for one race.
The other potential candidate is
Nicolò Bulegawho, after a phenomenal season in Superbike with the Aruba.it Racing team, could well get a chance at the top of the Desmosedici motorcycle.
Fabio Di Giannantonio’s replacement at Sepang could cause a sensation
And Open up wins the WorldSBK title in Jerez this weekend, it could also strengthen his position for a temporary role in MotoGP. This opportunity could be for him a foretaste of a possible transition to the premier category in the future.
Ducati et
VR46 are expected to make their decision in the coming days. This choice between the experience of
Iannone and the emerging talent of
Open up raises interesting questions about the priorities of Ducati : offer one last race to a veteran or prepare for the future by testing a rising star? The answer will be known shortly, and we wait to see who will take a seat on the Desmosedici for the Malaysian Grand Prix in Sepang.
