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The Italian, who placed 5th in the recently concluded MotoGP Le Mans, was at testing for his team, Ducati, in Tuscany, Italy, where he set good time. However, he dislocated his shoulder during a crash at the track’s Arrabiatta 2 turn.
Iannone’s injury clearly did not hamper his good performance at the track, but ahead of upcoming Mugello, he has been complaining of serious pain. A recent scan that followed revealed a hairline fracture at the tip of his humerus, the bone that runs from the shoulder to the elbow. He will still race this weekend at Mugello, but his physical condition will be under the scanner. Statements from both Ducati and Iannone himself confirmed his participation at the Italian Motorcycle Grand Prix. Iannone, in his personal statement, stressed the importance of ‘having a good race for Ducati and the fans’.
The 25-year-old has had 1 podium in the five races held so far this year, finishing third at the Qatar Motorcycle Grand Prix behind compatriots Valentino Rossi and Andrea Dovizioso, who is Iannone’s teammate.
His lowest standing this year has been 6th, at the Spanish MotoGP.
Iannone on his injuries:
“For sure on Sunday I will race at Mugello but it’s going to be difficult for me to be 100% fit. A couple of days ago I stopped taking pain-killers and yesterday I did an MRI scan. Unfortunately they found a hairline fracture at the tip of my funny bone, and to be sincere that was a bit of a nasty surprise. The swelling still causes me a lot of pain and I am continuing to do laser therapy in an attempt to get it to go down as soon as possible. In any case, I’ll have to grit my teeth like I did at Le Mans, because it’s far too important for me and for Ducati to have a good race in front of the Mugello fans.”
