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Andrea Iannone reveals what Ducati have told him about replacing injured Marc Marquez in Malaysia

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Andrea Iannone has revealed what he’s been told about potentially replacing Marc Marquez at the Malaysian Grand Prix following the broken collarbone that the 2025 title-winner received in Indonesia.

Marquez was involved in a first-lap incident with Marco Bezzecchi at Mandalika, which saw both riders crash out of the race.

The Spaniard is expected to be sidelined for at least two race weekends in order to recuperate from the broken collarbone he sustained in the incident.

Michele Pirro has been confirmed as Marquez’s replacement for the upcoming round at Phillip Island in Australia, marking his first appearance at the factory Ducati outfit in MotoGP since he replaced Enea Bastianini during his injury layoffs in 2023.

READ MORE: Jorge Lorenzo noticed something about Marc Marquez’s Indonesia crash that wasn’t normal

Marc Marquez of Ducati prepares to climb onto his bike at the Indonesian Grand Prix
Photo by Gold & Goose Photography/Getty Images

Andrea Iannone reveals that there has been no ‘official’ confirmation on Marc Marquez’s replacement at Malaysia

However, the replacement for the following race in Malaysia is yet to be decided and, as a Ducati rider in the World Superbikes championship, Iannone could be one of the options for the Borgo Panigale-based team.

Speaking to the official site of the WSBK, Iannone was reminded of his appearance in MotoGP last year, in place of Fabio Di Giannantonio, who was ready to undergo surgery on his left shoulder at the time.

Asked if there’s a possibility it could happen again in the current term, the Italian laughed and replied, “Why this question? Do you know something more than me?

“I spoke with a few people at Ducati, but it’s just a fantasy at the moment. It’s nothing official. In any case, as far as I know, we are in Estoril, and I am focused on these World Superbike races.”

Fellow Ducati WSBK contender Nicolo Bulega has already expressed his disinterest in filling in for Marquez.

The Italian is currently in with a chance of winning the championship in the category, so there’s no surprise that it currently has his utmost attention.

READ MORE: Luca Marini tells MotoGP bosses what they will ‘have to change’ for 2026 after Marc Marquez crash

Andrea Iannone is known as the ‘worst’ rider to interview in the MotoGP paddock

Former MotoGP rider turned TV pundit Neil Hodgson has had the chance to exchange words with a lot of members from within the premier class paddock over the years through his long-term affiliation with the sport.

After stating that ‘98% of them are lovely’, Hodgson declared that Iannone was the worst MotoGP rider to interview due to how rude the Italian rider would be to those around him.

Despite that, Iannone noted that the portrayal of him to fans was the ‘opposite’, highlighting that many fans of the sport ‘loved’ the persona that Iannone emitted.

Now 36 years old, Iannone’s original exit from the premier class came after he was found guilty of doping and slapped with an 18-month ban.

After losing his appeal to the suspension, the length of his ban was increased to four years instead.

Iannone returned to two-wheeled racing in the World Superbikes category upon the expiry of his suspension in 2024.