Iannone complains of “impossible” lack of rear grip in Jerez qualifying

The Ducati rider could manage no more than 11^th at Jerez, 1.3s behind poleman Valentino Rossi, taking his worst MotoGP grid slot since last year’s Catalunya race.

Explaining his problems afterwards to media afterwards, the Italian said that a chronic lack of grip with the new-spec stiff construction Michelin was the root of his troubles.

Asked by Motorsport.com if his qualifying performance came as a shock after Ducati’s strong start to the season, Iannone said: “For sure it’s very difficult.

“I think the situation for us in Jerez is very difficult, especially for me, because the feeling of the bike is very bad at the moment.

“The grip at the rear is very bad, and for me it’s important to have good grip at the rear because I have a high corner speed and when I don’t have grip, for me it’s impossible.”

Iannone however denied this was to do with Michelin’s decision to strengthen its rear tyre in the wake of Scott Redding’s failure in Argentina.

“In Austin we have the same tyres and we don’t have this problem,” he explained. “We had very good speed all weekend and fight for good position in the race.

“In Jerez, from the beginning it’s been very difficult, especially for understanding this tyre. When I stay in the corner and I touch the throttle, the bike immediately goes into a slide.”

Dovizioso bags second row spot

Dovizioso fared much better than his teammate, taking a strong fourth on the grid, but predicts that the high level of rear degradation will make Sunday’s race a very different proposition.

“The first three riders have a different pace, but like always at this track, 27 laps is really long and the drop-off with the rear tyre is so high,” he said.

“The speed everyone saw in the practice, I don’t think will be the reality in the race. The final result will be determined by who works in the best way about the [tyre] consumption.”