Iannone says shoulder still causing pain

The Italian injured himself in a testing crash on Tuesday during a private test held at Mugello by the Bologna-based marque, undergoing treatment in the following days in order to prepare himself to ride at the French track.

Iannone finished the second practice session in 11th place, nine tenths of a second away from surprise pacesetter Bradley Smith, but admitted afterwards that painkillers prescribed by the MotoGP medical team failed to improve the situation.

“I am in a bit of a difficult situation, because my shoulder is still hurting,” said the 25-year-old.

“This morning I started without taking any type of painkiller, but in the afternoon the doctors of the Clinica Mobile gave me an injection.

“Unfortunately the situation did not improve: the pain remained virtually the same and my shoulder is still creating me problems, especially in the chicanes and in the changes of direction.

“For tomorrow we will try and find a solution that allows me to ride better, but I fear I will have to grit my teeth because it’s not going to be an easy weekend."

Should Iannone be unfit to ride in Sunday's race, Ducati will be forced to enter a single bike for Andrea Dovizioso as the team's test rider Michele Pirro is on Italian Superbike championship duty this weekend at Vallelunga.