Andrea Iannone hails 'special' Ducati move after securing MotoGP ride
Andrea Iannone says the joy of joining Ducati outweighs the elation of sealing a switch into MotoGP's premier class for the 2013 season
The Italian, 23, was confirmed alongside current works Yamaha rider Ben Spies in a Pramac satellite team which will enjoy full factory support from Ducati.
Iannone, a race-winner in the past three years of Moto2, recently tested for Ducati over a three-day run at Mugello. He said a chief aim would be to reward the confidence the Italian factory had bestowed upon him.
"I'm happy, I'm moving up to MotoGP next year and it's with an Italian bike: that's two special things," Iannone told Gazzetta dello Sport.
"But the move up had to happen somehow, so I'm happier for the second thing. After all, only Marquez is better off than I am.
"I arrive in Ducati at 23, I'm their youngest rider. It's a time of major changes and I hope I can win the faith of Preziosi, Domenicali, Del Torchio. Meantime, I thank them for the confidence they have shown towards me."
"That's the best thing you can have and this is why I'm happy."
Iannone said the test had fed his desire to join Ducati - which was also boosted by Valentino Rossi encouraging him to join.
"He [Rossi] is a friend and a super strong rider, even these days," Iannone said.
"He told me I made the right decision and that I went quick. To do that in the test, I looked plenty at his telemetry.
"They were three very useful days. I worked with my chief mechanic and tried to do some development too. I've also done some good lap times.
"Most of all they let me understand how electronics work and the possibilities you have with it. I was impressed with having so many people around me listening to my impressions.
Asked if he had any regrets about not winning a title before stepping up to MotoGP, Iannone replied: "I'm not sorry about it and I don't regret any decision made in the past.
"Perhaps I could have got some better results in the past three years, but I faced new challenges, especially this year with a bike that was literally born at the Jerez tests.
"I'm happy with the work I'm doing. You can't live with regrets."
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