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MotoGP Grand Prix: Andrea Iannone Ready to Challenge Valentino Rossi, Jorge Lorenzo at Assen

Andrea Iannone

(Photo : Getty Images) ASSEN, NETHERLANDS - JUNE 25: Andrea Iannone of Italy and Ducati Team heads down a straight during the MotoGP Netherlands - Free Practice at on June 25, 2015 in Assen, Netherlands. (Photo by Mirco Lazzari gp/Getty Images)

Ducati Corse Andrea Iannone believes he can replicate again his performance at Losail and Mugello this upcoming Motul Grand Prix in Assen on Saturday, as the leading Ducati rider looks to narrow the gap between him and Telefonica Movistar Yamaha Racing Valentino Rossi.

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Iannone, is currently sitting at 3rd place of the championship standings 44 points and trailing Rossi by 44 points and Jorge Lorenzo by 43.

Earning a victory in 2011 Moto2 grand prix and a 2nd place finish in 2013 Moto2 grand prix, Iannone is eager to have a good result at Assen ahead of this weekend. With a consistent top six finishes in all of the races this season, he has already overtaken his teammate Andrea Dovizioso in the standings.

Looking back at Catalunya, after finishing the race with almost 25 seconds behind Lorenzo, the Ducati rider reckoned that it was the only track where the Gp15 performed worse than its predecessor. Having struggled all weekend there, even in the free practice 3 which he was sent into Qualifying 1 along with compatriot Repsol Honda Dani Pedrosa.

Ahead of this Dutch TT race, the Italian is really hopeful he could pull out a much needed performance this weekend, although an unpredictable weather conditions should be put into considerations. With a fast flowing layout and some high-speed corners, Assentechnical characteristics require a great deal of agility on the machine's set-up. He is hoping that the Gp15 suit this time unlike the previous models.

Iannone has a few fond memories on this track and he likes to use it as a motivation this weekend. Even though in the past couple of years with Ducati, the 2 versions of Gp's he used there was really difficult to control and for that reason the results weren't that much great. He is hoping on Saturday, that he could challenge for a podium, if not the victory in Assen. However, this year version of the Gp's was stepforward and he is happy for the performance so far.

"I've won before in Moto2 in 2010 at the Dutch track and I like it a lot, but I also know that in the past Assen has been a bit tough for Ducati. However this year we have a new bike, which still has a lot of untapped potential, and I am sure the GP15 will allow me to fight for the leading positions," Iannone told MotoGP.com.

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