Iannone ‘Started to Make Mistakes’ in Malaysian Sprint ‘Because the Bike Was So Heavy’
Andrea Iannone’s return to high-level motorcycle racing in the 2025 World Superbike Championship (WorldSBK) has been one of the most compelling storylines of the season. After a four-year absence due to a doping suspension, the Italian rider has shown flashes of brilliance, proving he still possesses the raw speed and aggression that once made him a MotoGP podium regular. However, the recent Malaysian Sprint race at the Sepang International Circuit highlighted some of the challenges he still faces—particularly in adapting to the physical demands of the new machinery.
Speaking candidly after the race, Iannone admitted that fatigue played a significant role in his performance. “I started to make mistakes because the bike was so heavy,” he said. “The physical load is different than MotoGP. With 24 laps at this temperature, I was suffering.”
The Malaysian Sprint was run in typical tropical conditions—hot, humid, and mentally draining. Unlike MotoGP sprints, which are generally shorter, WorldSBK sprint races still demand intense physical effort, especially on a challenging track like Sepang. Add in the extra weight of a production-based superbike compared to a lighter, more nimble MotoGP prototype, and the difficulty is compounded.
Iannone, currently riding for Team GoEleven on a Ducati Panigale V4 R, started the weekend strong. In qualifying, he posted competitive times and looked set for a solid finish. But as the Sprint unfolded, he began to
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