Andrea Iannone reckons he’d have been ‘stupid’ to quit Ducati just when the Bologna factory is embarking on a radical re-design of its struggling Desmosedici machine.
The Italian has been promoted to Ducati’s official factory squad for this season after Cal Crutchlow’s shock U-turn to quit and join LCR Honda, just days after committing his future to a Desmosedici last summer.
Had Crutchlow stayed with Ducati, Iannone would have been left in the satellite Pramac squad for a third successive season, though he would have had full factory support having penned a new two-year deal.
Iannone spoke to Suzuki and LCR Honda about a 2015 deal, but he said his dream was always to remain with Ducati.
The 25-year-old impressed in his second season on finicky Desmosedici and scored six top six top finishes, with a best of fifth in Germany, Brno and Misano after an injury ravaged rookie season in 2013.
Iannone, who also claimed five front row starts last season, told MCN: “I thought I was...